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Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS Seventh Circuit Bar Association American Jury Project Commission (2005-2008)......... 1
Co-Chairs ........................................................................................................................ 1 Executive Committee...................................................................................................... 1 Commission Members: Judges and Attorneys............................................................... 2 Acknowledgments........................................................................................................... 7
Introduction......................................................................................................................... 9 Overview of Seventh Circuit Project .............................................................................. 9 Formation of the Commission ........................................................................................ 9 Phase One...................................................................................................................... 10 Phase Two..................................................................................................................... 11
Executive Summary of Seventh Circuit Commission’s Conclusions............................... 13 Discussion and Analysis of the Concepts Tested ............................................................. 15
Juror Questions for Witnesses During Trial ................................................................. 15 Preliminary Substantive Jury Instructions .................................................................... 25 Twelve-Person Juries .................................................................................................... 29 Interim Statements ........................................................................................................ 32 Jury Selection Questionnaires....................................................................................... 36 Deliberation Guidance Instructions .............................................................................. 39 Discussion and Analysis of the Concept of Trial Time Limits..................................... 45
The Commission’s Call for Continuing the Critique of the Concepts in Courtrooms Across the Country ........................................................................................................... 48 Data Derived from Seventh Circuit Project ...................................................................... 49
Overview of the Trial.................................................................................................... 50 Twelve-Person Juries .................................................................................................... 51 Preliminary Substantive Jury Instructions .................................................................... 52 Jury Selection Questionnaire [Phase One Only]........................................................... 54 Time Limits [Phase One Only] ..................................................................................... 57 Juror Questions for Witnesses During Trial ................................................................. 60 Interim Statements for the Jury by Counsel.................................................................. 63 Enhancing Jury Deliberations [Phase One Only] ......................................................... 66 Demographics/Backgrounds of Participants................................................................. 70
Questionnaires................................................................................................................... 73 Facilitator Questionnaire............................................................................................... 74 Judge Questionnaire...................................................................................................... 91 Attorney Questionnaire............................................................................................... 129 Juror Questionnaire..................................................................................................... 171
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SEVENTH CIRCUIT BAR ASSOCIATION AMERICAN JURY PROJECT COMMISSION (2005-2008)
Co-Chairs
James R. Figliulo Figliulo & Silverman PC 10 S. LaSalle St., Ste. 3600 Chicago, IL 60603 Phone: (312) 251-5262 Fax: (312) 251-4610 [email protected]
Hon. James F. Holderman, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois 219 S. Dearborn St., Ste 2541 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: (312) 435-5600 [email protected]
Hon. Diane S. Sykes United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit 219 S. Dearborn St., Ste 2742 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: (312) 435-5824 [email protected]
Executive Committee
Professor Shari Seidman Diamond Howard J. Trienens Professor of Law Northwestern University School of Law 357 E. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60611 Phone: (312) 503-2040 Fax: (312) 503-2035 [email protected]
Dr. Daniel Wolfe, J.D., Ph.D. Director of Jury Consulting TrialGraphix/Kroll Ontrack 954 W. Washington Blvd. Suite 380 Chicago, IL 60607 Phone: (312) 925-0333 [email protected]
Professor Stephan A. Landsman Robert A. Clifford Professor of Law DePaul University College of Law 25 E. Jackson Blvd., Ste. 733 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: (312) 362-6647 Fax: (312) 362-5448 [email protected]
Amy Rettberg , Executive Law Clerk United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 219 S. Dearborn St., Ste. 2548 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: (312) 435-3074 [email protected]
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Commission Members: Judges and Attorneys
Hon. David H. Coar United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 219 S. Dearborn St., Ste. 1478 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: (312) 435-5648 [email protected]
Hon. John W. Darrah United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 219 S. Dearborn St., Ste. 1203 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: (312) 435-5619 [email protected]
Hon. Robert W. Gettleman United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 219 S. Dearborn St., Ste. 1703 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: (312) 435-5619 [email protected]
Hon. Joan B. Gottschall United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 219 S. Dearborn St., Ste. 2356 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: (312) 435-5640 [email protected]
Hon. David F. Hamilton, Chief Judge United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana 46 E. Ohio St., Ste. 330 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: (317) 229-3640 [email protected]
Hon. Matthew F. Kennelly United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 219 S. Dearborn St., Ste. 2103 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: (312) 435-5618 [email protected]
Hon. Joan Humphrey Lefkow United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 219 S. Dearborn St., Ste. 1925 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: (312) 435-5632 [email protected]
Hon. Michael J. Reagan United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois 750 Missouri Avenue East St. Louis, IL 62201 Phone: (618) 482-9225 [email protected]
Hon. Amy J. St. Eve United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 219 S. Dearborn St., Ste. 1241 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: (312) 435-5685 [email protected]
Hon. Susan E. Cox United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 219 S. Dearborn St., Ste. 1334 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: (312) 435-5615 [email protected]
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Mark Filip (Former U.S. District Judge) Deputy Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20530 Phone: (202) 353-1555 [email protected]
Mike Aprahamian Foley & Lardner LLP 777 E. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone: (414) 297-5516 Fax: (414) 297-4900 [email protected]
Peter V. Baugher Schopf &Weiss LLP 312 W. Randolph St., Ste. 300 Chicago, IL 60606-1721 Phone: (312) 701-9315 Fax: (312) 701-9335 [email protected]
Philip S. Beck Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar &Scott LLP Courthouse Place 54 W. Hubbard St., 3rd Flr. Chicago, IL 60610 Phone: (3 12) 494-4411 Fax: (3 12) 494-4440 [email protected]
Patricia C. Bobb Patricia C. Bobb &Associates 833 W. Jackson Blvd., Ste. 200 Chicago, IL 60607 Phone: (312) 334-3122 Fax: (312) 829-3367 [email protected]
Mike Bowen Foley & Lardner LLP 777 E. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone: (414) 297-5538 Fax: (414) 297-4900 [email protected]
Thomas Campbell Baker &McKenzie LLP One Prudential Plaza 130 E. Randolph Dr. Chicago, IL 60601 Phone: (312) 861-8884 Fax: (312) 861-2898 [email protected]
Jack J. Carriglio Meckler Bulger & Tilson LLP 123 N. Wacker Dr., Ste. 1800 Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: (312) 474-4477 Fax: (312) 474-7898 [email protected]
Robert A. Clifford Clifford Law Offices 120 N. LaSalle St., 31st Flr. Chicago, IL 60602 Phone: (312) 899-9090 Fax: (312) 251-1160 [email protected]
Michael W. Coffield (deceased) Daniel E. Conley Quarles & Brady 411 E. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53202-4497 Phone: (414) 277-5609 Fax: (414) 978-8609 [email protected]
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Jeffrey D. Colman Jenner & Block LLP 330 N. Wabash Ave., 42nd Flr. Chicago, IL 60611 Phone: (312) 923-2940 Fax: (312) 840-7340 [email protected]
William F. Conlon Sidley Austin Brown & Wood, LLP 10 S. Dearborn St. Chicago, IL 60603 Phone: (312) 853-7384 Fax: (312) 853-7036 [email protected]
Michael M. Conway Foley & Lardner LLP 321 N. Clark St., Ste. 2800 Chicago, IL 60610-4764 Phone: (312) 832-4351 Fax: (312) 832-4700 [email protected]
Dana S. Douglas Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw LLP 71 S. Wacker Dr. Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: (312) 701-7093 Fax: (312) 701-7711 [email protected]
Andrew T. Dustin Kirkland & Ellis LLP 200 E. Randolph Dr. Chicago, IL 60601 Phone: (312) 861-3051 Fax: (312) 861-2200 [email protected]
Gary M. Elden Grippo & Elden LLC 111 S. Wacker Dr. Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: (312) 704-7740 Fax: (312) 558-1195 [email protected]
Steven P. Handler McDermott Will & Emery LLP 227 W. Monroe St. Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: (312) 984-7721 Fax: (312) 984-7700 [email protected]
J. Patrick Herald Baker & McKenzie LLP One Prudential Plaza 130 E. Randolph Dr. Chicago, IL 60601 Phone: (312) 861-2830 Fax: (312) 861-2899 [email protected]
Christina D. Hernandez-Malaby Quarles & Brady LLP 411 E. Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 2040 Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone: (414) 277-5000 Fax: (414) 271-3552 [email protected]
Lawrence N. Hill Gardner Carton & Douglas LLP 191 N. Wacker Dr., Ste. 3700 Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: (312) 569-1373 Fax: (312) 569-3373 [email protected]
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Patricia Brown Holmes Schiff Hardin LLP Sears Tower 233 S. Wacker Dr., Ste. 6600 Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: (312) 258-5500 Fax: (312) 258-5600 [email protected]
Donald Hubert (Deceased) Christopher T. Hurley Hurley McKenna & Mertz PC 33 N. Dearbom St., Ste. 1430 Chicago, IL 60602 Phone: (312) 553-4900 Fax: (312) 553-0964 [email protected]
J. Andrew Langan Kirkland & Ellis LLP 200 E. Randolph Dr. Chicago, IL 60601 Phone: (312) 861-2064 Fax: (312) 861-2200 [email protected]
Gary Y. Leung, Jr. McGuire Woods LLP 77 W. Wacker Dr., Ste. 4100 Chicago, IL 60601-1681 Phone: (312) 849-3068 Fax: (312) 641-2742 [email protected]
Patrick R. Malone Grippo & Elden LLC 111 S. Wacker Dr. Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: (312) 704-7798 Fax: (312) 558-1195 [email protected]
Terri L. Mascherin Jenner & Block LLP One IBM Plaza 330 N. Wabash Ave, 47th Floor Chicago, IL 60611 Phone: (312) 840-7799 [email protected]
John R. McCambridge Grippo & Elden LLC 111 S. Wacker Dr. Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: (312) 704-7750 Fax: (312) 558-1195 [email protected]
Patricia Polis McCrory Hanison & Moberly, LLP 135 N. Pennsylvania St., Ste. 2100 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: (317) 639-4511 or 800-425-4511 Fax: (317) 639-9565 [email protected]
Steven F. Molo Shearman & Sterling LLP 599 Lexington Ave. New York, NY 10022 Phone: (212) 848-7456 Fax: (212) 848-7179 Chicago Phone: (312) 953-6153 [email protected]
James S. Montana, Jr. Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, P.C. 222 N. La Salle St. Chicago, IL 60601 Phone: (312) 609-7820 Fax: (312) 609-5005 [email protected]
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Thomas R. Mulroy Associate Judge Circuit Court of Cook County Illinois Richard J. Daley Center Chicago, IL 60602 Phone: (312) 603-6000 [email protected]
James C. Munson Kirkland & Ellis LLP 200 E. Randolph Dr. Chicago, IL 60601 Phone: (312) 861-2144 Fax: (312) 861-2200 [email protected]
Stephen Novack Kenneth Abell Novack and Macey LLP 100 N. Riverside Plaza Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: (312) 419-6900 Fax: (312) 419-6928 [email protected]
Michael A. Pope McDermott Will & Emery LLP 227 W. Monroe St. Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: (312) 984-7780 Fax: (312) 984-7700 [email protected]
Kathleen L. Roach Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP 10 South Dearborn St. Chicago, Illinois 60603 Phone: (312) 853-7861 Fax: (312) 853-7036 [email protected]
Alan N. Salpeter Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP 71 S. Wacker Chicago, IL 60606-4637 Phone: (312) 701-7051 Fax: (312) 706-8680 [email protected]
Manuel Sanchez Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman LLP 333 W. Wacker Dr., Ste. 500 Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: (312) 641-1555 Fax: (312) 641-3004 [email protected]
David Simon Foley & Lardner LLP 777 E. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone: (414) 297-55 19 Fax: (414) 297-4900 [email protected]
Jeff Simmons Foley & Lardner 150 East Gilman St. Madison, WI 53703 Phone: (608) 258-4267 Fax: (608) 258-4285 [email protected]
Todd A. Smith Powers Rogers & Smith PC 70 W. Madison St., 55th Flr. Chicago, IL 60602 Phone: (312) 236-9381 Fax: (312) 236-0920 [email protected]
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R. Clay Stiffler Jenner & Block LLP 330 N. Wabash Ave., 42nd Flr. Chicago, IL 60611 Phone: (312) 840-8640 Fax: (312) 840-8740 [email protected]
Robert W. Tarun Baker & McKenzie LLP Two Embarcadero Center, 11th Floor San Francisco, CA 94111-3802 Phone: (415) 591-3220 Fax: (415) 576-3099 [email protected]
Rene A. Torrado, Jr. Corboy & Demetrio 33 N. Dearborn St. Chicago, IL 60602 Phone: (312) 346-3191 Fax: (312) 346-5562 [email protected]
Anton R. Valukas Jenner & Block LLP 330 N. Wabash Ave., 42nd Flr. Chicago, IL 60611 Phone: (312) 923-2903 Fax: (312) 840-7303 [email protected]
Fredrick E. Vars Miller Shakman & Beem LLP 180 N. LaSalle St., Ste. 3600 Chicago, IL 60601 Phone: (312) 759-7245 Fax: (312) 263-3270 [email protected]
James A. Walrath Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, Inc. 521 N. 8th St. Milwaukee, WI 53223 Phone: (414) 727-5300 Fax: (414) 291-5488 [email protected]
S. Ann Walls, Senior Law Clerk United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 219 S. Dearborn St., Ste. 2548 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: (312) 435-3075 [email protected]
Sheldon T. Zenner Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP 525 W. Monroe St., Ste. 1600 Chicago, IL 60661 Phone: (312) 902-5476 Fax: (312) 577-8995 [email protected]
Acknowledgments The Commission wishes to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of the following individuals in preparing this Final Report:
Margaret M. Winkler, Judicial Assistant to Chief Judge James F. Holderman Gabriela I. Kennedy, Judicial Assistant to Chief Judge James F. Holderman Andrea Krebel, Jury Consultant at TrialGraphix/Kroll Ontrack Lindsay Bertsch, Research Associate at TrialGraphix/Kroll Ontrack
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PARTICIPATING SEVENTH CIRCUIT TRIAL JUDGES (Listed by U.S. District Court)
Northern District of Illinois (14) Elaine E. Bucklo
Geraldine Soat Brown David H. Coar John W. Darrah Morton Denlow
Samuel Der-Yeghiayan Joan B. Gottschall
James F. Holderman Matthew F. Kennelly
Joan Humphrey Lefkow James B. Moran
Sidney I. Schenkier Amy J. St. Eve James B. Zagel
Southern District of Illinois (1) Michael J. Reagan
Northern District of Indiana (2) Paul R. Cherry
Andrew P. Rodovich
Southern District of Indiana (2) David F. Hamilton
John D. Tinder, (now a Circuit Judge of the Seventh Circuit)
Eastern District of Wisconsin (2) Lynn S. Adelman Charles N. Clevert
Western District of Wisconsin (1) Barbara B. Crabb
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INTRODUCTION
The Seventh Circuit Bar Association American Jury Project (the “Seventh Circuit Project”) was developed as an outgrowth of the American Bar Association American Jury Project. After a national symposium in October 2004 on the United States jury system, the ABA American Jury Project produced a single set of modern jury principles, entitled Principles for Juries and Jury Trials, “ABA Principles” that the ABA proposed be used as a model for state and federal trial courts conducting jury trials across the country. The revised principles were approved by the ABA House of Delegates during the midyear meeting in February 2005 and were published with accompanying commentary in hard copy by Thomson West Publishing Company in August 2005. The ABA Principles and accompanying commentary are available online at: http://www.abanet.org/juryprojectstandards/principles.pdf.
Overview of Seventh Circuit Project
With the goal of putting the jury principles articulated by the ABA American Jury Project into action, the Seventh Circuit Bar Association, headed by its then president, James R. Figliulo, took a leading role nationwide in testing the usefulness of and benefits derived from, if any, the ABA principles in fifty jury trials over a thirty month period beginning in October 2005 and continuing through April 2008. Questionnaires were developed and employed to assess the efficacy of the trial concepts tested by using both quantitative and qualitative assessment techniques. During the testing periods of the Seventh Circuit Project, over four hundred jurors, over eighty attorneys and twenty-two federal trial judges participated and provided input for analysis regarding the ABA principles tested in the fifty trials. The assessments by these judges, attorneys, and jurors in each of the jury trials where one or more of these concepts were utilized are detailed in this report.
Formation of the Commission
The Seventh Circuit Jury Project Commission was formed in the summer of 2005. The then Seventh Circuit Chief Judge Joel M. Flaum provided his support for the Seventh Circuit Project, and Circuit Judge Diane S. Sykes, Chief District Judge James F. Holderman and Chicago attorney James R. Figliulo, President of the Seventh Circuit Bar Association (2005-06), served as co-chairs of the Commission. Additionally, prominent, seasoned trial lawyers and law professors from around the Seventh Circuit were members of the Commission. Providing the Commission specific advice, academic evaluation and technical analysis were three of the foremost experts in the field: Professor Shari Diamond, J.D., Ph.D. (Northwestern University), Professor Stephan Landsman, J.D. (DePaul University), and Dr. Daniel Wolfe, J.D., Ph.D. (TrialGraphix/Kroll Ontrack), who also served as members of the Commission’s Executive Committee.
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Phase One
Phase One of the Seventh Circuit Project was conducted from October 2005 through April 2006. During this period, seven of the concepts outlined in the ABA principles that appeared to be both practical and potentially beneficial were selected for testing in the federal trial courts of the Seventh Circuit. The Commission appointed an attorney chairperson for each concept. These chairpersons were responsible for preparation of the Seventh Circuit Project materials regarding their respective test concepts. The materials regarding the seven concepts were compiled in the Phase One Seventh Circuit Project Manual. Each of the seven concepts was explained and the legal authority supporting the use of each concept during trial was provided. Seven district court judges, one per concept, reviewed the proposed materials to be set forth in the Phase One Project Manual and provided their judicial input.
The seven concepts tested during Phase One of the Seventh Circuit Project were as follows:
1. Twelve-Person Juries.
2. Jury Selection Questionnaires.
3. Preliminary Substantive Jury Instructions.
4. Trial Time Limits.
5. Questions by the Jury During Trial.
6. Interim Statements to the Jury by Counsel.
7. Enhancing Jury Deliberations.
Other trial procedures discussed by the ABA Principles such as providing jurors notebooks containing exhibits and allowing jurors to take notes during trial have become so commonly used by trial judges in the Seventh Circuit that the Commission believed testing of these procedures would not be useful.
The materials and information relating to the seven concepts to be tested were placed in a hard copy Phase One Project Manual and on a CD for participating judges and attorneys to reproduce and use. The Phase One Project Manual , which can be accessed online at http://www.7thcircuitbar.org/associations/1507/files/01ProjectManual.pdf, contained five subsections for each of the seven Phase One concepts tested:
1. The ABA American Jury Project Principles and Standards relating to the concept.
2. The rationale for testing the concept.
3. The legal authority supporting the concept’s use.
4. Suggested procedures for the concept’s use.
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5. Suggested jury instructions pertaining to the concept’s use.
Questionnaires for the participating trial judges, lawyers, and jurors used in
evaluating each of the seven Phase One concepts in each trial were prepared by Dr. Daniel Wolfe, J.D., Ph.D. of TrialGraphix/Kroll Ontrack in consultation with Professor Shari Seidman Diamond, the Howard J. Trienens Professor of Law at Northwestern School of Law, and Professor Stephan A. Landsman, the Robert A. Clifford Professor of Law at the DePaul University College of Law.
The Phase One questionnaires were distributed to and filled out by the twenty-two (22) participating federal trial judges across the Seventh Circuit, seventy-four (74) participating attorneys, and three hundred three (303) jurors in the thirty-eight (38) Phase One trials in which one or more of the test concepts were employed. Data derived from the completed Phase One questionnaires was collected, analyzed, and presented at the Seventh Circuit Bar Association Annual Meeting and Judicial Conference in May 2006.
Phase Two
Phase Two of the Seventh Circuit Project began in February 2007 and extended through April 2008. For Phase Two, the Commission narrowed its focus to include just four of the concepts that had been initially tested in Phase One:
1. Questions by the Jury During Trial.
2. Interim Statements to the Jury by Counsel.
3. Twelve-Person Juries.
4. Preliminary Substantive Jury Instructions. These four concepts were chosen in part because of their popularity in Phase One – seventy-eight percent (78%) of Phase One jurors reported that the use of Questions by the Jury During Trial increased their satisfaction with the trial process, and eighty-two percent (82%) of Phase One judges reported that the use of Preliminary Substantive Jury Instructions increased their satisfaction with the trial process – and in part due to the desire for further study (although the concept of Twelve-Person Juries is broad in its potential applicability, this concept was only employed in thirty-two percent (32%) of Phase One trials; likewise, Interim Statements to the Jury by Counsel were used in only forty-eight percent (48%) of the Phase One trials, despite the fact that seventy percent (70%) of the judges who employed this technique agreed that it increased their satisfaction with the trial process).
In preparation for Phase Two, the Commission revised and updated the Project Manual based on its learnings from Phase One, with the intent of better capturing and addressing the concepts to be studied. The Phase Two Project Manual and CD retained Phase One’s basic structure, including a description of the ABA American Jury Project Principles and Standards relating to each concept, the rationale for testing the concept, the legal authority supporting the concept’s use, suggested procedures for the concept’s
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use, and suggested jury instructions pertaining to the concept’s use. A copy of the Phase Two Manual is available online at http://www.7thcircuitbar.org/associations/1507/files/iC13961v2.pdf. In Phase Two, the Seventh Circuit Project again captured relevant data through the use of questionnaires given to participating trial judges, attorneys, and jurors.
During Phase Two, one hundred eight (108) jurors, in the twelve (12) Phase Two trials, in which one or more of the test concepts were employed, filled out Phase Two juror questionnaires. Additionally, twelve (12) attorneys and four (4) United States District Judges (from the Northern District of Illinois – Eastern Division, and the Western District of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Division) completed questionnaires. Data derived from the completed Phase Two questionnaires was collected, analyzed, and presented at the Seventh Circuit Bar Association Annual Meeting and Judicial Conference in May 2008.
The members of the Seventh Circuit Jury Project Commission believe that the Seventh Circuit Project has achieved its goal of producing a better understanding among members of the bench and bar as to how best to implement these concepts to enhance jurors’ understanding of the factual issues they are asked to resolve at trial. Building upon the experiences of the participating Seventh Circuit trial judges, attorneys, and jurors, the Commission offers this Final Report as a springboard for future refinement and innovation in the area of jury studies.
In this Final Report, the Commission has set out its conclusions resulting from both phases of the Seventh Circuit Project and provided the Commission'srecommendations as to each concept of the ABA Principles that was tested. An executive summary of those conclusions and recommendations is the next segment of this report, followed by the Commission’s discussion of each concept tested and the data derived from the Seventh Circuit Project.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF SEVENTH CIRCUIT COMMISSION’S CONCLUSIONS
In sum, four hundred and thirty-four (434) jurors completed questionnaires, as did
eighty-six (86) attorneys, who participated in fifty (50) jury trials. The twenty-two (22) federal trial judges, who presided over one or more of the jury trials in which one or more of the Seventh Circuit Project concepts were utilized, were from six (6)1 of the seven (7) districts that comprise the Seventh Circuit.
The concepts tested by the Seventh Circuit Project were viewed generally by the
participants as enhancing the jury trial process. Overall, the judges, attorneys, and jurors who participated found the use of the tested concepts to be relatively effective in enhancing juror understanding and to have increased the overall satisfaction of the trial process. The following is an “executive summary” of the Commission’s conclusions as to each concept.
Executive Summary 1. Juror Questions for Witnesses During Trial
The procedure of permitting jurors to submit written questions for witnesses during trial had the intended goal of enhancing juror understanding of the evidence presented at trial. Jurors in the Seventh Circuit Project jury trials generally used their questions for that purpose, and the vast majority of jurors, eighty-three percent (83%), reported that the ability to submit written questions helped their understanding of the facts. Judges and attorneys who participated in trials in which juror questions were permitted also responded very favorably to the procedure, with seventy-seven percent (77%) of judges and sixty-five percent (65%) of attorneys reporting increases in juror understanding. Moreover, seventy-five percent (75%) of judges and sixty-six percent (66%) of attorneys saw no reduction in efficiency associated with permitting jurorquestions. The Seventh Circuit Jury Project Commission therefore strongly recommends use of this procedure in future state and federal jury trials. 2. Preliminary Substantive Jury Instructions
The procedure of the trial judge providing the jurors preliminary substantive jury instructions has the intended goal of increasing the jurors’ understanding of the case by giving the jurors the legal framework for the parties’ arguments regarding the disputed facts. The Seventh Circuit Project jury trials in which this concept from the ABA Principles was tested resulted in over eighty percent (80%) of the jurors, over eighty-five percent (85%) of the judges and over seventy percent (70%) of the lawyers who participated stating they believed that this intended goal of enhancing juror understanding was accomplished. The Commission therefore strongly recommends use of this procedure in future state and federal civil jury trials.
1 Northern District of Illinois, Southern District of Illinois, Northern District of Indiana, Southern
District of Indiana, Eastern District of Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin
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3. Twelve-Person Juries
Half the judges (50%) reported that the jury’s diversity was increased due to the expansion of the number of jurors impaneled. The data generated by the Project were insufficient to quantify the extent of the observed effect. Both mathematical modeling and data from other sources, however, lend significant support to the judges’ observation. The chief criticism of the twelve-person jury is that it results in inefficiency at trial. Over three-quarters of the judges (78%) and almost two-thirds of the attorneys (64%) reported that the efficiency of the trial process was unaffected by the use of larger jury panels. The Commission believes that the use of twelve-person juries is likely to prove beneficial and pose little difficulty in efficiency terms. It, therefore, recommends the use of such juries when practicable. 4. Interim Statements to the Jury by Counsel
Over eighty percent (80%) of the jurors reported that interim statements of
counsel were helpful. Consequently, it appears that the intended purpose of interim statements by counsel of helping the jurors better understand the evidence and keeping the juror’s attention focused on the evidence was accomplished. Over eighty-five percent (85%) of the participating judges thought the use of interim statements increased the jurors’ understanding and said they would permit interim statements during trials in the future. The use of interim statements would most likely be helpful in cases where the trial is expected to last more than a week. There seems to be little danger of any abuse of this practice. The Commission strongly recommends the use of interim statements by counsel to the jury in cases lasting more than a week. 5. Jury Selection Questionnaires
Seventy-eight percent (78%) of the judges and forty-seven percent (47%) of the attorneys believed the use of juror selection questionnaires did not affect the fairness of the trial process. A majority of the judges and attorneys believed using jury selection questionnaires increased the efficiency of the trial process. The Commission believes that the use of a written jury selection questionnaire is beneficial in the appropriate case to accommodate the prospective jurors’ privacy or to increase the efficiency of the trial process.
6. Deliberations Guidance Instruction
The findings from the test of this concept did not shed much light on whether or how to better instruct the jury on the conduct of deliberations. Thus, the Commission does not take any position on whether the suggested procedures used to test this concept should be encouraged or not. 7. Trial Time Limits
Because there were only seven (7) trials in which the participating judges imposed time limits, the sample size is too small to draw any meaningful conclusions. However, the limited evidence suggests that judges may be reluctant to impose time limits out of a belief that time limits will not increase the fairness of the trial process, the efficiency of the trial process, or satisfaction with the trial process. Trial time limits may be appropriate in certain cases, but this concept does not seem to be perceived as having enough support or demonstrable benefits to warrant any recommendation by this Commission.
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DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPTS TESTED
Discussion and Analysis of the Concept of Juror Questions for Witnesses During Trial
ABA Principle Tested
To test Principle 13(C.) of the ABA American Jury Project Principles, the
Seventh Circuit Commission proposed that judges participating in the Seventh Circuit Project permit the jurors to submit written questions for witnesses during the trial. Principle 13 states that “The court and parties should vigorously promote juror understanding of the facts and the law.” Principle 13(C.) states:
C. In civil cases, jurors should, ordinarily, be permitted to submit written questions for witnesses. In deciding whether to permit jurors to submit written questions in criminal cases, the court should take into consideration the historic reasons why courts in a number of jurisdictions have discouraged juror questions and the experience in those jurisdictions that have allowed it.
1. Jurors should be instructed at the beginning of the trial
concerning their ability to submit written questions for witnesses.
2. Upon receipt of a written question, the court should make it
part of the court record and disclose it to the parties outside the hearing of the jury. The parties should be given the opportunity, outside the hearing of the jury, to interpose objections and suggest modifications to the question.
3. After ruling that a question is appropriate, the court may
pose the question to the witness, or permit a party to do so,2 at that time or later; in so deciding, the court should consider whether the parties prefer to ask, or to have the court ask, the question. The court should modify the question to eliminate any objectionable material.
4. After the question is answered, the parties should be given
an opportunity to ask follow-up questions.
2 [Note: Although Principle 13, C. 3 permits counsel to ask the juror’s question, the Sub-
committee on Jury Questions for the Seventh Circuit Commission believes that the better practice is for the court to ask the question.]
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Reasons for Test
The Commission chose to test the procedure of permitting juror questions during trial because the Commission believed that allowing jurors to submit written questions after attorney questioning can facilitate better juror understanding of the evidence and better decision making. Allowing juror questions was predicated on the notion that, with appropriate safeguards, juror questioning can materially advance the pursuit of truth. Prior to the Project, judges and attorneys using this technique reported, and empirical studies in several jurisdictions indicated, that most juror questions are serious, concise, and relevant to the trial proceeding. Moreover, the fact that an occasional irrelevant or prejudicial question was disallowed did not appear to affect jurors’ judgments in any significant manner.
Legal Support for Concept Tested
Allowing submission of written juror questions during trial is supported by United States v. Sutton, 970 F.2d 1001, 1005 n.3 (1st Cir. 1992). In Sutton, the First Circuit noted that “[j]uror-inspired questions may serve to advance the truth by alleviating uncertainties in the jurors’ minds, clearing up confusion, or alerting the attorneys to points that bear further elaboration. 970 F.2d at 1005 n.3. The Court also suggested that “it is at least arguable that a question-asking juror will be a more attentive juror.” Id. at 1005 n.3.
In U.S. v. Richardson, 233 F.3d 1285, 1289 (2003), the Eleventh Circuit, citing cases dealing with the status of permitting juror questions in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th federal circuits, concluded that “[e]very circuit to consider the practice has permitted it, holding that the decision to allow juror questioning rests within the discretion of the trial judge.” 233 F.3d at 1289.
Empirical studies of programs permitting juror questions during trial have been conducted in Arizona, Colorado, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. In all of these studies, a majority of judges, attorneys, and jurors have reacted favorably. In addition, juror questions have not caused excessive time delays and have focused primarily on relevant issues. Jurors did not react negatively when their questions were declined. Larry Heuer & Steven Penrod, Increasing Juror Participation in Trials Through Note Taking and Question Asking, 79 JUDICATURE (March-April 1996); Mary Dodge, Should Jurors Ask Questions in Criminal Cases? A Report Submitted to the Colorado Supreme Court’s Jury System Committee 2 (2002); Nicole L. Mott, The Current Debate on Juror Questions: “To Ask or Not to Ask, That is the Question,” 78 CHI.-KENT L. REV. 1099 (2003); Shari Seidman Diamond, Mary R. Rose, & Beth Murphy, Jurors’ Unanswered Questions 41 COURT REVIEW 20 (2004); Shari Seidman Diamond, Mary R. Rose, Beth Murphy, & Sven Smith, Juror Questions During Trial: A Window on Juror Thinking, 59 VANDERBILT LAW REV. 1927 (2006)
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Procedures Employed
To facilitate studying the use of juror questions in the Project, the Commission proposed that:
• At the beginning of the trial, the judge should tell the jury that, after attorney questioning of a witness is over, jurors may submit written questions, which the judge may or may not address to the witness.
• The judge should inform the jurors that they are not required to submit
questions. If they choose to, however, jurors must signify that they have a question, but they do not have to sign the question or otherwise identify themselves.
• When attorney examination of a witness is over, the judge should ask the
jurors whether there are any questions. If so, written questions are handed to the judge, who then consults with the attorneys outside the presence of the jury, usually at a sidebar, on whether the question can be asked. The judge should then read each question for the record and permit the attorneys to object to the form or content of any question. The judge then will rule on any objections and makes any wording changes that he or she deems appropriate.
• Back in the presence of the jury, the judge will then read the permitted
questions to the witness, and the attorneys may further examine the witness. • If the jury has submitted questions that cannot be answered, the judge may
remind the jury that evidentiary rules prohibit asking certain questions, and they should attach no significance to those questions not asked.
Recommended Instructions on Juror Questions
In Phase One, the recommended preliminary instruction to the jury read as follows:
If you, after listening to a witness’s testimony on
both direct examination and cross-examination, have a question that you feel may clarify the witness’s testimony, you may, if you desire, write down your question and give it to my clerk.
My clerk will provide it to me and I, as I must, will share your question with the lawyers in the case. If your question is a proper inquiry under the rules of evidence, I will read your question to the witness so the witness may answer it.
Under the rules of evidence questions must be asked
in a certain form, and I will attempt to modify the form of any submitted question to conform with the proper form. Also under the rules of evidence if you submit a question, and it is not asked, it is because I as the judge have
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determined the question should not be asked under the law. You should draw no conclusions or inferences if a question is not asked with regard to the facts in the case, and you should not speculate about the answer to any unanswered question. Likewise, in considering the evidence in the case, you should not give greater weight to the testimony given in answer to any question submitted by a member of the jury.
I emphasize that only written questions can be
considered. You cannot ask questions orally of any witness.
Based on our experience in Phase One, it appeared that jurors might benefit from
guidance regarding when questions by jurors were appropriate. In Phase Two, the recommended preliminary instruction was modified to read as follows:
In this trial, we are using a procedure that you may not have seen before. As members of the jury, you will be permitted to submit questions for a witness after the lawyers have finished questioning the witness. Here is how the procedure works: After each witness has testified and the lawyers have asked all of their questions, I will turn to the jury to see if anyone has any additional questions. If you have a question, you should write it down and give it to the court staff.
You may submit a question for a witness to clarify or help you understand the evidence. Our experience with juror questions indicates that a juror will rarely have more than a few questions for one witness, and there may be no questions for some witnesses.
If you submit a question, the court staff will provide
it to me and I will share your questions with the lawyers in the case. If your question is permitted under the rules of evidence, I will read your question to the witness so that the witness may answer it. In some instances, I may modify the form or phrasing of a question so that it is proper under the rules of evidence. On other occasions, I may not allow the witness to answer a question, either because the question cannot be asked under the law, or because another witness is in a better position to answer the question. Of course, if I cannot allow the witness to answer a question, you should not draw any conclusions from that fact, or speculate on what the answer might be.
Here are several important things to keep in mind
about your questions for the witnesses.
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First, all questions must be submitted in writing. Please do not ask questions orally of any witness.
Second, witnesses may not be re-called to the
witness stand for additional juror questions, so if you have a question for a particular witness, you should submit it at the end of that witness’s testimony.
Finally, as jurors you should remain neutral and
open throughout the trial. As a result, you should always phrase any questions in a neutral way that does not express an opinion about the case or a witness. Remember that at the end of the trial, you will be deciding the case. For that reason, you must keep an open mind until you have heard all of the evidence and the closing arguments of counsel, and I have given you final instructions on the law.
During both Phase One and Phase Two, a recommended final instruction to be
read to the jury with the other final jury instructions was as follows:
During the trial, written questions by some members of the jury have been submitted to be asked of certain witnesses. Testimony answering a question submitted by a juror should be considered in the same manner as any other evidence in the case. If you submitted a question that was not asked, that is because I determined that under the rules of evidence the answer would not be admissible, just as when I sustained any objection to questions posed by counsel. You should draw no conclusion or inference from my ruling on any question, and you should not speculate about the possible answer to any question that was not asked or to which I sustained an objection.
Results of the Project
A. How often did the jurors submit questions?
Judges in the Seventh Circuit Project said they permitted juror questions in thirty-eight (38) trials. The judges indicated that jurors submitted questions in thirty-one (31) trials, which is eighty-three percent (83%) of the trials in which questions were permitted. In those thirty-one (31) trials, the jurors submitted an average of eighteen (18) questions (median = 15) per trial. Based on the trial length information collected during Phase One, this rate of question submission amounted to an average of six questions per day of trial.
Jurors were asked whether they had submitted any questions during the trial, and if they had, how many they had submitted. As Table 1 shows, a majority of the jurors (56%) said they had submitted at least one question:
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Table 1. Did you submit any questions during trial? If yes, how many?
Questions Submitted Phase One Phase Two Total 0 42.5% 48.1% 44.1% 1 13.5% 17.7% 14.7% 2 7.2% 12.7% 8.7% 3-5 12.6% 11.4% 12.2% 6-10 4.8% 2.5% 4.2% >10 6.3% 0 4.5% Yes, but no number given 13.0% 7.6% 11.5%
Total 99.9% (207)
100.0% (79)
99.9% (286)
Based on the experience with juror questions in Phase One, the Commission
revised the recommended instruction to suggest to the jurors that questioning is likely to be limited. That revised recommended instruction stated: “Our experience with juror questions indicates that a juror will rarely have more than a few questions for one witness, and there may be no questions for some witnesses.” We compared the juror questioning in Phase One and Phase Two to assess whether the altered instruction on juror questions affected the pattern of juror questioning. The change had no substantial influence on the tendency of jurors to submit at least one question. In Phase One, fifty-eight percent (58%) of jurors said they submitted questions, and in Phase Two, fifty-two percent (52%) said they did. Jurors did, however, submit fewer questions on average in Phase Two than they did in Phase One. In Phase One, twenty-four percent (24%) of the jurors said they submitted 3 or more questions, while in Phase Two only fourteen percent (14%) said they submitted 3 or more questions. Assuming that participating judges used the new recommended instruction during Phase Two, the change in the instruction may explain the drop, although we cannot be sure in light of the small number of cases in Phase Two.
We asked judges, attorneys, and jurors to indicate whether they thought the number of questions submitted by jurors during the trial was (1) too many, (2) an appropriate number, or (3) too few. As Table 2 shows, a substantial the majority in each of three groups reported that the jurors submitted an appropriate number of questions. Table 2. What is your opinion of the number of questions submitted by jurors during the trial?
Judges Attorneys Jurors
Too many 26.7% 21.0% 3.1% An appropriate number 63.3% 69.4% 87.3% Too few 10.0% 9.7% 9.7%
Total
100.0% (30)
100.1%
(72)
100.1% (259)
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A comparison between Phase One and Phase Two suggests that the instruction
change may have produced a drop in unwarranted questions. In both phases, only ten percent (10%) of both judges and attorneys thought the jurors asked too few questions, so there is no indication that the change in instruction inhibited appropriate questioning. In contrast, however, the percentage of both judges and attorneys who thought the jurors asked too many questions dropped from thirty-five percent (35%) in Phase One to ten percent (10%) in Phase Two for judges, and from twenty-four percent (24%) to zero percent (0%) for attorneys. The difference may have been produced by the change in the recommended instruction to be given to jurors on submitting questions during trial for Phase Two.
Judges used various procedures to instruct the jurors about submitting questions and, based on interviews conducted with judges during Phase One of the Seventh Circuit Project, some of the procedures influenced the likelihood that questions were submitted because they affected juror awareness of that option. When the judge mentioned juror questions only at the outset of the trial, many jurors missed the fact or forgot that they could submit questions when a witnesses finishing testifying. In contrast, when the judge signaled a willingness to take juror questions after a witness testified, generally by mentioning it after each of the first several witnesses and merely pausing briefly after later witnesses, nearly all jurors understood that questions were allowed and they were more likely to submit them.
As the judge informed the jurors at the beginning of the trial, the judge was not
always able to allow the witness to answer a submitted written question. The judges reported that after consulting with counsel, they permitted the witness to answer eighty-eight percent (88%) of the questions jurors submitted during trial. B. Who submitted questions?
Jurors from all different backgrounds submitted questions. The likelihood of submitting a question did not vary by juror gender, age, or racial/ethnic background. Jurors with graduate school educational backgrounds (72%) were more likely to submit a question than were jurors with less education (54%), but at every educational level, at least fifty percent (50%) of the jurors submitted a question (high school or less: 50%; technical/some college: 58%; college grad: 52%). The only other characteristic associated with the likelihood of submitting a question was prior service as a juror. If a juror had served before, the juror was less likely to submit a question (48% versus 62%). It is unclear why first time jurors were more likely to submit a question, unless it was simply that prior jurors had served on juries in which questions had not been permitted. C. How did trial participants react to permitting juror questions during trial?
The judges and attorneys who participated in cases in which juror questions were permitted rated the effects of the juror questions on the trial. Jurors who said they had participated in a trial in which juror questions were permitted responded to similar questions. Tables 3a – 3d show the reactions of the trial participants:
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A majority of judges reported increases in fairness (74%), juror understanding (77%), and satisfaction with the trial process (56%). They reported no decreases on any of these three measures. A minority (23%) did see a decrease in efficiency. Table 3a. Judicial Evaluation of the Effects of Permitting Juror Questions During Trial*
Fairness
Efficiency
Juror Understanding
Judge Satisfaction with Trial Process
Increased 74 3 77 56 No Effect 26 74 23 44 Decreased 0 23 0 0 Don’t Know 0 0 0 0
Total 100% (35)
100% (35)
100% (35)
100% (35)
* In cases in which jurors were permitted to submit questions Although fewer attorneys than judges saw improvements, two-thirds of the attorneys saw either an improvement or no change on fairness (80%), efficiency (64%), juror understanding (82%), and satisfaction with the trial process (80%). Table 3b. Attorney Evaluation of the Effects of Permitting Juror Questions During Trial*
Fairness Efficiency Juror
Understanding Attorney Satisfaction
with Trial Process
Increased 47 38 65 52
No Effect 33 28 17 28
Decreased 7 28 2 14
Don’t Know 13 5 17 7
Total
100% (60)
99% (60)
101% (60)
101% (60)
* In cases in which jurors were permitted to submit questions
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Even among attorneys who said that they had lost at trial, the reaction to juror questions was equally positive: Table 3c. Losing Attorney Evaluation of the Effects of Permitting Juror Questions During Trial*
Fairness
Efficiency
Juror Understanding
Attorney Satisfaction with Trial Process
Increased 42 42 58 56 No Effect 37 37 21 28 Decreased 5 16 0 6 Don’t Know 16 5 21 11
Total 100% (19)
100% (19)
100% (19)
101% (19)
* In cases in which jurors were permitted to submit questions and the attorney characterized the outcome of the trial as between 1 and 3 on a 7-point scale in which 1 = big loss and 7 = big win Among the jurors, reaction was extremely favorable, with sixty-seven percent (67%) reporting that questions helped on fairness, a majority, fifty-five percent (55%), reporting they helped on efficiency, and over eighty percent (80%) saying they helped on juror understanding and satisfaction with the trial process. Table 3d. Juror Evaluation of the Effects of Permitting Juror Questions During Trial*
Fairness
Efficiency
Juror Understanding
Juror Satisfaction with Trial Process
Helped 67 55 83 81 Did not affect 32 44 16 19 Hurt 1 1 1 0
Total 100% (278)
100% (279)
100% (281)
100% (279)
* All jurors who said they were permitted to submit questions Not surprisingly, when jurors were asked whether or not they thought that jurors should be permitted to submit questions for witnesses during trial, ninety-five percent (95%) said they should be. D. What did jurors see as the primary purposes of their questions?
In Phase One, jurors were given a list of four possible purposes for their questions and asked to indicate all that applied. As Table 4 shows, the two most commonly selected reasons were “to clarify information already presented,” which was selected by fifty-nine percent (59%) and “to get additional information,” which was selected by sixty-seven percent (67%). The less frequently chosen purposes were “to resolve inconsistencies in the evidence, “ chosen by thirty percent (30%) and “to find out the opinion of a witness,” chosen by fifteen percent (15%). In Phase Two, when the jurors were given eight additional possible purposes, the two dominant choices in Phase One
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remained those most frequently selected. The purpose least chosen was “to help one side or the other,” selected by six percent (6%). Thus, the pattern of purposes juror chose was generally consistent with the goal of allowing juror questions to enable better juror fact-finding.
Table 4. Primary Purposes of Juror Questions: If you submitted any questions to the judge, what were the primary purposes of your questions (check “Yes” or “No” for each of the following reasons that apply)?
Primary purposes (all reasons that apply): Phase One Phase Two To repeat information already presented* - 13% To clarify information already presented 59% 62% To check on a fact or an explanation* - 53% To get additional information 67% 84% To find out the opinion of a witness 15% 22% To resolve inconsistencies in the evidence 30% 44% To understand the law* - 14% To test witness credibility* - 31% To link up other evidence* - 42% To help one side or the other* - 6% To make sure the trial was fair* - 33% To cover something that the lawyers missed* - 53% (number of jurors answering) (176) (44)
* Asked in Phase Two only
Conclusion
The procedure of permitting jurors to submit written questions for witnesses during trial had the intended goal of enhancing juror understanding of the evidence presented at trial. Jurors in the Seventh Circuit Project jury trials generally used their questions for that purpose, and the vast majority of jurors, eighty-three percent (83%), reported that the ability to submit written questions helped their understanding of the facts. Judges and attorneys who participated in trials in which juror questions were permitted also responded very favorably to the procedure, with seventy-seven percent (77%) of judges and sixty-five percent (65%) of attorneys reporting increases in juror understanding. Moreover, seventy-five percent (75%) of judges and sixty-six percent (66%) of attorneys saw no reduction in efficiency associated with permitting juror questions. The Seventh Circuit Jury Project Commission therefore strongly recommends use of this procedure in future state and federal jury trials.
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Discussion and Analysis of the Concept of Preliminary Substantive Jury Instructions
ABA Principle Tested
To test Principle 6(C.) of the ABA American Jury Project Principles, the Seventh
Circuit Commission proposed that as a part of the Seventh Circuit Project the participating federal trial judges provide the jurors substantive preliminary jury instructions, including an explicit description of the claims, the requisite elements of proof, and the other essential law governing the case, before any evidence was presented at the trial. Principle 6(C.) states:
C. Throughout the course of the trial, the court should provide instructions to the jury in plain and understandable language.
1. The court should consider giving preliminary instructions
directly following impanelment of the jury that explain the jury’s role, the trial procedures including note-taking and questioning by jurors, the nature of evidence and its evaluation, the issues to be addressed, and the basic relevant legal principles, including the elements of the charges and the claims and definitions of unfamiliar legal terms.
2. The court should advise jurors that once they have been
selected to serve as jurors or alternates in a trial, they are under an obligation to refrain from talking about the case outside the jury room or allowing anyone to talk about the case in their presence until the trial is over and the jury has reached a verdict.
3. The court should give such instructions during the course
of the trial as are necessary to assist the jury in understanding the facts and law of the case being tried as described in Standard 13 D.2.
Reasons for Test
The Commission chose to test this procedure of providing preliminary substantive
jury instructions to the jurors before evidence is presented because the Commission believed that doing so would facilitate (1) better decision making by jurors, and (2) greater understanding by jurors of their duty in the decision-making process. The Commission recommended that the trial judge, after conferring with counsel for the parties, provide in advance of opening statements not only the standard preliminary jury instructions recommended by the Seventh Circuit3 but also substantive instructions on matters such as the elements of the plaintiff’s claim, burden of proof, and the defendant’s
3 See FEDERAL CIVIL JURY INSTRUCTIONS OF THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT, General Instructions (2005),
available at www.ca7.uscourts.gov/7thcivinstruc2005.pdf.
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affirmative defenses. The Commission further recommended that the preliminary substantive instructions include sufficient detail on the legal framework of the case to inform the jurors of the issues they would be asked to decide. The Commission proposed that jurors’ ability to recall relevant evidence and apply the law to the facts of the case would improve if the jurors understood prior to the presentation of evidence the context in which they would be required to evaluate the evidence presented during trial.
The Commission contemplated that preliminary substantive instructions would be used in addition to traditional jury instructions. Thus, the trial judge would continue to give final jury instructions following presentation of the evidence in accord with the judge’s usual practice. The judge could also consider whether the jurors’ decision making would be improved if certain substantive instructions were given at appropriate times during the presentation of evidence.
Legal Support for Concept Tested
Use of preliminary substantive jury instructions is supported by United States v. Bynum, 566 F.2d 914, 924 (5th Cir. 1978). In Bynum, the Fifth Circuit explained that “[a]lthough it is difficult for the courts to give preliminary jury instructions in all cases, it is not only not error to do so, it is a well-reasoned modern trend to give instructions outlining the issues and the law involved prior to the taking of testimony.” 566 F.2d at 924. The Court further acknowledged that the trial court has an “obligation . . . to do all within its power to assist the jury in understanding the issues involved and the application of the law.” Id. at 924 n. 7.
Use of the procedure is also supported by the Federal Rules of Criminal and Civil Procedure. Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 30(c) provides that “[t]he court may instruct the jury before or after the arguments are completed, or at both times.” Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 51(b)(3) provides that the court “may instruct the jury at any time before the jury is discharged.” The Advisory Committee Notes to the 1987 Amendment of Rule 51 also explains that instructing jurors before argument:
gives counsel the opportunity to explain the instructions, argue their application to the facts and thereby give the jury the maximum assistance in determining the issues and arriving at a good verdict on the law and the evidence. As an ancillary benefit, this approach aids counsel by supplying a natural outline so that arguments may be directed to the essential fact issues which the jury must decide . . . . Moreover, if the court instructs before an argument, counsel then know the precise words the court has chosen and need not speculate as to the words the court will later use in its instructions. Finally, by instructing ahead of argument the court has the attention of the jurors when they are fresh and can give their full attention to the court’s instructions. It is more difficult to hold the attention of jurors after lengthy arguments.
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Procedures Employed
To facilitate testing of the concept of providing preliminary substantive jury instructions, the Commission proposed that:
• Before trial, the judge should request that attorneys submit proposed preliminary substantive jury instructions, to be given after the jury is sworn but before opening statements, which address the key substantive issues the jury must decide, including the elements of the claims or charges, the defenses, and any explanatory or definitional instructions the jury needs to properly evaluate the claims and defenses.
• The judge should follow “traditional” procedures for the preliminary
instructions, including conducting a jury instruction conference with counsel, providing a copy of the finalized instructions to the parties and the jury, reading the instructions to the jury, and informing the jury that the lawyers can refer to and quote from the instructions during opening statements as well as closing arguments.
• The judge may refer to the preliminary instructions to the jury during the
taking of evidence when the judge believes that the preliminary instructions could assist the jury.
• The judge may choose to supplement the preliminary instructions during trial
or may wait until final jury instructions.
The Commission suggested that the FEDERAL CIVIL JURY INSTRUCTIONS OF THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT (2005) at www.ca7.uscourts.gov/7thcivinstruc2005.pdf could provide guidance in formulating preliminary substantive jury instructions.
Analysis of Results
A review of the testing questionnaires completed by the participating judges, lawyers, and jurors in the trials where preliminary substantive jury instructions were used provided the following results:
1. Judges
In the thirty-four (34) trials where preliminary substantive instructions were given to the jury before opening statements, the judges in twenty-nine (29) or eighty-seven percent (87%) of the trials reported that they believed preliminary instruction increased jurors’ understanding of the case, and in twenty-seven (27) or eighty-percent (80%) of the trials, preliminary instruction increased the judge’s satisfaction with the trial process. In twenty-six (26) of the thirty-four (34) or seventy-six percent (76%) of the trials, the judges reported that preliminary instruction increased the fairness of the trial process. Notably, no judge reported that the judge believed juror understanding was decreased because of preliminary substantive instructions.
Only one judge reported encountering a “logistical, implementation, or other problem with” giving preliminary substantive jury instructions. The only drawback specified was: “The lawyers were unfamiliar with the concept and needed to focus on the
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instructions earlier than they anticipated.” That judge continued, however: “Personally, I think that is a good thing, because it focuses the evidence.”
The participating federal trial judges have expressed great satisfaction with using preliminary substantive jury instructions. A judge reporting anonymously wrote: “As a result of the Jury Project, I am making it a standard practice to give substantive preliminary instructions. I think it is very helpful to the jury and to the lawyers because it focuses everyone on the issues.” And Chief Judge James F. Holderman has observed: “I have found that preliminary instructions helped to orient the jurors to the case and allowed the jurors to start making connections between the evidence and the disputed issues in the case more quickly.”
2. Lawyers
Seventy-two percent (72%) of the lawyers who completed Phase One trial questionnaires, thought the giving of preliminary substantive jury instructions increased the jurors’ understanding of the case. In the thirty-four (34) trials where preliminary substantive instructions were given, the lawyers were asked to rate the instructions based on the substantive fairness of the law given by the instruction, length of the instruction, and appropriateness of the point during the trial when the instruction was given. The majority of lawyers rated each category favorably. That is, the substantive law given was perceived as either fair or very fair; the length of preliminary instruction was neither too long nor too short; and the point during the trial when preliminary instructions were given by the judge was deemed appropriate or extremely appropriate. A majority of the lawyers also reported that they believed preliminary instruction increased jurors’ understanding of the case and that preliminary instruction increased the lawyers’ satisfaction with the trial process.
3. Jurors
Of the jurors participating in the trials in which preliminary substantive jury instructions were given, who answered questionnaires, over eighty percent (80%) thought that doing so increased the fairness of the trial process, increased the jurors’ understanding of the case, and increased the jurors’ satisfaction with the trial process. Several jurors indicated, however, that they would have liked more instruction prior to the presentation of evidence. The issues they identified as requiring additional instruction included: better defining preponderance of the evidence and “the questions to answer.” One juror also indicated that he or she would have found it helpful to have been provided a copy of the verdict form at the beginning of trial. Jurors provided no “Open-Ended Responses” addressing preliminary substantive jury instructions.
Conclusion
The procedure of the trial judge providing the jurors preliminary substantive jury instructions has the intended goal of increasing the jurors’ understanding of the case by giving the jurors the legal framework for the parties’ arguments regarding the disputed facts. The Seventh Circuit Project jury trials in which this concept from the ABA Principles was tested resulted in over eighty percent (80%) of the jurors, over eighty-five percent (85%) of the judges and over seventy percent (70%) of the lawyers who participated stating they believed that this intended goal of enhancing juror understanding was accomplished. The Commission therefore strongly recommends use of this procedure in future state and federal civil jury trials.
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Discussion and Analysis of the Concept of Twelve-Person Juries
ABA Principles Tested To test Principle 3 of the ABA American Jury Project Principles, the Seventh Circuit Commission proposed that as a part of the Seventh Circuit Project the participating federal trial judges empanel juries of twelve. Principle 3 states:
PRINCIPLE 3 – JURIES SHOULD HAVE 12 MEMBERS
A. Juries in civil cases should be constituted of 12 members wherever possible and under no circumstances fewer than six members.
Reasons for Test
The Commission chose to test this procedure of impaneling juries of twelve because the Commission believed that doing so would facilitate: (1) more effective deliberations, (2) more accurate decisions, and (3) more representative juries. The Committee believed that twelve-member juries would have a better collective recall of the trial testimony, and are more likely to be representative of the community at large and return verdicts and damage awards that reflect community standards. The Commission anticipated only a slight increase in time and expense of trial, or the possibility of a hung jury.
Legal Support for Concept Tested Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 48 states, “The court shall seat a jury of not fewer than six and not more than twelve members.” The rule thus authorizes the use of twelve-person juries in civil trials. As historically understood, the Seventh Amendment’s guarantee of the right to jury trial in civil cases required a jury “composed of not less than twelve persons.” Thompson v. Utah, 170 U.S. 343, 350 (1898). In 1973, the Supreme Court held that a federal civil jury with fewer than twelve members was constitutionally permissible. Colgrove v. Battin, 413 U.S. 419 (1973). That decision has been the subject of extensive scholarly criticism. See, Developments in the Law—The Civil Jury, 110 HARV. L. REV. 1408, 1479-84 (1997); Committee on Federal Civil Procedure, Report on the Importance of the Twelve-Member Civil Jury in Federal Courts, 205 F.R.D. 247 (2002). In Ballew v. Georgia, 435 U.S. 223, 237-38 (1978), the Supreme Court acknowledged the superiority of twelve-person juries, although it did not require a return to them. Empirical evidence suggests that juries of twelve conduct more effective deliberations and achieve more accurate results. See, e.g., Michael J. Saks, The Smaller the Jury the Greater the Un predictability, 79 JUDICATURE 263 (1996). As the Sixth Circuit noted, larger juries increase representativeness. See, Hanson v. Parkside Surgery Center, 872 F.2d745 (6th Cir. 1989). Maintaining representativeness is essential to preserving jury fairness and legitimacy and is significantly enhanced by juries of twelve. See, Kim Taylor-Thompson, Empty Votes in Jury Deliberations, 113 HARV. L. REV. 1261, 1317 (2000).
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Procedures Employed
To test the concept of 12-person juries, the Commission proposed that:
• The judge empanels no fewer than twelve persons for a civil jury trial using the jury selection procedures that the judge desires to use consistent with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and 28 U.S.C. § 1870.
• Each side remains entitled to three peremptory challenges when twelve as
opposed to six jurors are selected under 28 U.S.C. § 1870 because Fed. R. Civ. P. 48 contemplates no more than twelve and no less than six jurors will be selected to serve as the jury in a civil trial.
Results of the Project
Approximately forty-four percent (44%) of the Seventh Circuit Project trials
utilized twelve-person juries, with the remaining trials utilizing somewhere between seven (7) and twelve (12) jurors. This number represents a slight increase from the size of juries generally favored by the participating judges and attorneys. The majority of participating judges (53%) reported that they favor a jury of greater than six (6) but less than twelve (12) members, with most of the participating attorneys (48%) agreeing with this sentiment. Because only forty-one percent (41%) of participating judges and thirty-nine percent (39%) of participating attorneys reported generally favoring a twelve-person jury at the outset of the Seventh Circuit Project, the number of twelve-person juries used for the trials that were part of the Seventh Circuit Project appears to represent a slight increase from the norm.
In all fifty (50) trials captured as part of the Seventh Circuit Project, fifty percent (50%) of the participating judges reported that the increased number of jurors impaneled resulted in an increase in the level of diversity of the jury. While most of the participating attorneys (54%) did not observe such an increase, thirty-nine percent (39%) of the attorneys echoed the judges’ conclusion that they had more diverse juries because of the larger number of jurors impaneled. Both mathematical modeling and data from other sources lend significant support to the judges’ observation. Statistical theory predicts that juries of twelve will be significantly more diverse than juries of six when a substantial minority population is found within the venire. See Richard O. Lempert, Uncovering ‘Nondiscernable’ Differences: Empirical Research and the Jury-Size Cases, 73 MICH. L. REV. 643, 668 (1975). Simulation studies have found this diversity effect in larger juries. See Michael J. Saks, Jury Verdicts: The Role of Group Size and Social Decision Rule (1977). Recent courtroom observation (in Chicago) has reported the same effect. See Shari Diamond, et al., The Effect of Voir Dire and Jury Size on the Composition of the Jury, paper delivered at the Annual Meeting of the Law and Society Association, Montreal (2008).
Despite the perceived increase in diversity, only a small percentage of judges (26%) and attorneys (25%) felt that the fairness of the trial process was correspondingly increased. The strong majority of both groups (70% of judges, 58% of attorneys) felt that the fairness of the trial was unaffected by the number of jurors impaneled.
Both groups generally agreed that the efficiency of the trial process was not affected by the number of jurors chosen (78% of judges, 64% of attorneys), although, as
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expected, more participants reported a decrease in efficiency (16% of judges, 17% of attorneys) than those reporting an increase efficiency (6% of judges, 12% of attorneys). While the use of a twelve-person jury did not have a marked impact on attorneys’ or judges’ satisfaction with the trial process (58% of judges and 69% of attorneys reported their satisfaction was “unaffected”), thirty-six percent (36%) of participating judges stated that their satisfaction with the trial process was increased because of the number of jurors impaneled, and sixteen percent (16%) of participating attorneys agreed.
As a whole, ninety-three percent (93%) of jurors and seventy-seven percent (77%) of attorneys agreed that their trial had “the right number” of jurors impaneled. Some jurors (6%) and even more attorneys (20%) thought there were “too many” jurors, while very few members of either group (3% of attorneys, 1% of jurors) reported “too few” jurors impaneled.
Conclusion
Half the judges (50%) reported that the jury’s diversity was increased due to the expansion of the number of jurors impaneled. The data generated by the Project were insufficient to quantify the extent of the observed effect. Both mathematical modeling and data from other sources, however, lend significant support to the judges’ observation. The chief criticism of the twelve-person jury is that it results in inefficiency at trial. Over three-quarters of the judges (78%) and almost two-thirds of the attorneys (64%) reported that the efficiency of the trial process was unaffected by the use of larger jury panels. The Commission believes that the use of twelve-person juries is likely to prove beneficial and pose little difficulty in efficiency terms. It, therefore, recommends the use of such juries when practicable.
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Discussion and Analysis of the Concept of Interim Statements
ABA Principle Tested
Principle 13 of the of the ABA American Jury Project Principles and Standards provides that “THE COURT AND PARTIES SHOULD VIGOROUSLY PROMOTE JUROR UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACTS AND THE LAW.” In furtherance of this principle, Standard 13(G) encourages the use of Interim Statements, among other techniques:
G. Parties and courts should be open to a variety of trial techniques to enhance juror comprehension of the issues including: alteration of the sequencing of expert witness testimony, mini- or interim openings and closings, and the use of computer simulations, deposition summaries and other aids.
Reasons for Test
The Commission chose to test the use of interim explanatory statements by
attorneys to the jury during the course of the trial (“Interim Statements”) out of a belief that it will enhance juror comprehension in civil trials. Specifically, the Commission chose to test Interim Statements believing that they would (1) enhance a jury’s ability to understand the evidence by allowing attorneys to explain forthcoming testimony and exhibits or to highlight the significance of evidence already elicited; (2) assist jurors in recalling the evidence; (3) allow counsel to organize, clarify, emphasize, contextualize and explain evidence; (4) aid jurors in remaining focused; (5) break up and make more interesting and informative the parade of evidence; (6) allow a judge’s use of modern trial management techniques can eliminate trial delay and disruption; and (7) streamline the presentation of evidence and increase the overall efficiency of the trial.
Legal Support for Concept Tested
The use of Interim Statements is supported by decisional law and scholarly authority:
• Westmoreland v. CBS, Case No. 82 Civ. 7913 (PNL) (In a 62-day trial, attorneys were each given two hours each for interim statements with complete discretion as to how to utilize their time. Each side gave interim summations over 40 times, with the longest summation running about ten minutes and the shortest slightly over one minute; the average summation lasted about two and a half minutes. Attorneys typically gave their summaries at the start or the conclusion of a witness’s direct or cross-examination.)
• Energy Trans. Sys., Inc. v. Burlington N. et al., Case No. 13-84-979-4. (In a
lengthy antitrust trial, attorneys on each side were given six hours of interim summaries. Plaintiff attorneys used summations to outline and preview the purpose of various witnesses’ testimony and to show how the evidence coincided with the court’s preliminary instructions. Defendant attorneys used summations to education the jury about the points they would cover in cross-examination. Both sides used daily transcripts to remind jurors of significant
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testimony and highlight discrepancies between the testimony and the documents. Both used summations to identify witnesses in the other side’s case and to explain evidence that was unfavorable to them.)
• ABA Standards for Crim. Justice Discovery and Trial by Jury, Standard 15-
4.2(c) (3d ed. 1996) (encouraging trial judges to consider, consistent with parties’ rights, mechanisms that might be adopted to improve juror understanding of issues and trial efficiency).
• Tom M. Dees III, Juries: On the Verge of Extinction? A Discussion of Jury
Reform, 54 SMU L. Rev. 1755, 1778-1780 (2001). • What Trial Judges Would Like To Say To Trial Judges: Panel Two, 31 N.M.L.
REV. 241, 250-51 (2001). • Honorable B. Michael Dann, “Learning Lessons” and “Speaking Rights”:
Creating Educated and Democratic Juries, 68 IND. L.J. 1229, 1255-56 (Fall 1993).
Procedures Employed
To facilitate testing the concept of using Interim Statements, the Commission
suggested several procedures:
• Attorneys should be allowed to use Interim Statements before or after a witness’s testimony, on both direct and cross-examination, as previews (if before) or summations (if after). Granting attorneys discretion as to when and how to use their Interim Statements maximizes the benefits and advantages thereof.
• Interim Statements should be given outside the presence of witnesses except
for those witnesses not subject to the witness exclusionary rule found in Federal Rule of Evidence 615.
• Although attorneys should be allowed to make those objections that are
permissible during traditional opening statements and closing arguments, they should not be allowed to respond to Interim Statements. This will prevent the trial from becoming excessively contentious and will prevent an attorney from interjecting argument during the other attorneys’ presentation of evidence.
• Attorneys should not be required to give advance notice of their Interim
Statements. This recognizes that Interim Statements will often be the product of counsel’s last-minute, spontaneous decisions and strategy and of the unexpected turns that trials often take.
• An overall time limit for Interim Statements by each side should be set by the
Court in advance of trial. In setting limits, the Court should consider the anticipated length of the trial, the complexity of the case and the nature of the evidence to be submitted.
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• At the end of the last day of trial each week or the beginning of the first day of trial each week, each side should also be given ten minutes to summarize the evidence that was introduced during the previous week and/or preview the evidence anticipated for the coming week. This will allows the attorneys to: (a) put into context the evidence the jury heard all week; (b) emphasize the key points they want the jury to remember; and (c) let the jury know what they can expect to hearing in the coming week.
Analysis of Results
Interim Statements by counsel were used in 17 trials during the Project. In
summary, the judges and attorneys who completed the questionnaires from these trials found that the Interim Statements increased the jurors understanding of the case. None of the judges experienced any abuse of the Interim Statements.
The jurors who completed the questionnaires, overall, believed the Interim Statements helped them to keep focused on the evidence, to understand the evidence, to recall the evidence during deliberations and made the evidence more interesting.
1. Judges
Over eighty-five percent (85%) of the judges who allowed Interim Statements by
counsel during this Project responded that they would permit Interim Statements in the future and believed that the Interim Statements increased the jurors’ understanding of the cases. A majority of the judges also thought that the Interim Statements increased their satisfaction with the trial process. Only ten percent (10%) of the judges felt that the efficiency of the trial process decreased and none felt that there was any abuses of the Interim Statements.
In some cases, questionnaires were returned by judges where Interim Statements were not used. Those questions were similar to those posed to judges who allowed interim statements to be used but the results were significantly different. A majority of the Judges who did not allow Interim Statements felt that it would decrease the efficiency of the trial process and less than ten percent (10%) of those judges felt that Interim Statements would increase the jurors’ understanding of the case or the fairness of the trial process. This study is in marked contrast to the objects of the beliefs of the judges who actually allowed Interim Statements to be used.
2. Attorneys
The attorneys who were allowed to use Interim Statements felt that the use of Interim Statements allowed them to better organize (4.8) and explain (5.3) the evidence for the jurors and to better emphasize parts of the evidence (5). The numbers in parentheses are the average responses by attorneys who were allowed to use Interim Statements on a scale of “1” to “7”, where “7” represents that the use of Interim Statements were definitely helpful and “1” represents that they were definitely not helpful.
The attorneys in some cases used the Interim Statements to introduce evidence, some used theirs to summarize evidence, and others used them both ways. The attorneys
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generally felt that they would have liked more guidance on how to use Interim Statements to the jury.
3. Jurors
A majority of the jurors felt that the Interim Statements by counsel helped them to have a better understanding of the evidence (4.7), and have better recall of the evidence during deliberations (4.7). The jurors also believed that the Interim Statements helped them to keep focused on the evidence (5.0); and that they helped make the evidence more interesting (4.5). A vast majority of the jurors, over ninety percent (90%), thought that the Interim Statements were helpful when used to introduce evidence or summarize evidence. Less than ten percent (10%) of the jurors found that the Interim Statements were not useful at all.
Conclusion
Over eighty percent (80%) of the jurors reported that interim statements of counsel were helpful. Consequently, it appears that the intended purpose of interim statements by counsel of helping the jurors better understand the evidence and keeping the juror’s attention focused on the evidence was accomplished. Over eighty-five percent (85%) of the participating judges thought the use of interim statements increased the jurors’ understanding and said they would permit interim statements during trials in the future. The use of interim statements would most likely be helpful in cases where the trial is expected to last more than a week. There seems to be little danger of any abuse of this practice. The Commission strongly recommends the use of interim statements by counsel to the jury in cases lasting more than a week.
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Discussion and Analysis of the Concept of Jury Selection Questionnaires
ABA Principle Tested
Principle 11 of the of the ABA American Jury Project Principles and Standards provides that “COURTS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE PROCESS USED TO IMPANEL JURORS EFFECTIVELY SERVES THE GOAL OF ASSEMBLING A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL JURY.” In furtherance of this principle, Standard 11(A) encourages the use of jury selection questionnaires. Standard 11(A) states:
A. Before voir dire begins, the court and parties, through the use of appropriate questionnaires, should be provided with data pertinent to the eligibility of jurors and to matters ordinarily raised in voir dire, including such background information as is provided by prospective jurors in their responses to the questions appended to the notification and summons considered in Standard 10(D)(1).
1. In appropriate cases, the court should consider using a
specialized questionnaire addressing particular issues that may arise. Where a specialized questionnaire is appropriate, the parties should be required to confer on the form and content of the questionnaire. If the parties cannot agree, each party should be afforded the opportunity to submit a proposed questionnaire and to comment upon any proposal submitted by another party.
2. Jurors should be advised of the purpose of the
questionnaire, how it will be used, and who will have access to the information.
3. All completed questionnaires should be provided to the
parties in sufficient time before the start of the voir dire to enable the parties to adequately review them before the start of that examination.
To test Standard 11(A), the Seventh Circuit Commission proposed that as part of
Phase One of the Seventh Circuit Project, the participating federal trial judges use written jury selection questionnaires before in-court voir dire begins.
Reasons for Test
The Commission chose to test the use of jury selection questionnaires because several district judges within the Circuit already use written questionnaires before in-court voir dire begins to obtain information pertinent to the jurors’ qualifications. The judges who use questionnaires believe they streamline the jury selection process for several reasons: (1) questionnaires minimize or eliminate repetitive questioning; (2) prospective jurors may be more willing to disclose sensitive information in writing than they would be if asked to do so in open court; (3) the judge and counsel can conduct a more focused voir dire because they have relevant information in advance; and (4) questionnaires reduce waiting time for prospective jurors who are likely to be excused for cause.
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Legal Support for Concept Tested
Manual for Complex Litigation (Fourth) § 12.412 at 151 (2004). Procedures Employed
To facilitate testing the concept of using written jury selection questionnaires, the Commission proposed that:
• The judge should start with a draft questionnaire that includes questions seeking basic background information from jurors, and should solicit the views of the parties’ counsel regarding other questions (general or case-specific) to be included.
• The judge should permit counsel to review and comment on the draft questionnaire before it is submitted to prospective jurors.
• In most cases, questionnaires should be given to prospective jurors on the day of jury selection, along with a short cover letter briefly describing the contentions of the parties in the case being tried, and explaining the purpose of the questionnaire. In lengthy, complex, or high-publicity cases, a more detailed questionnaire can be mailed to prospective jurors in advance of trial to permit review of the answers prior to the day of jury selection.
• The judge’s staff should collect the completed questionnaires, and make and distribute copies to counsel.
• After the venire panel is sworn, the judge should question each prospective juror, inquiring whether each juror’s answers on the questionnaire were true and correct. The judge should also ask follow-up questions prompted by the juror’s answers. Because the judge and parties already have a written questionnaire, they should be able to determine in advance whether particular inquiries of particular jurors should be made privately.
• The judge may permit counsel to pose supplemental questions directly to the prospective jurors, or permit counsel to propose supplemental questions to be posed by the judge, depending on the judge’s practice.
The Commission also provided the participating federal trial judges with template
cover letters and questionnaires that could be provided to prospective jurors, after being tailored to the circumstances of the particular case. Analysis of Results
The use of a jury selection questionnaire was tested in eighteen (18) out of thirty-
one (31) Phase One trials. On balance, the participating judges who used a jury selection questionnaire found the questionnaire to be somewhat helpful in assisting the court to determine which potential jurors were entitled to be impaneled in the particular case; to determine what follow-up questions, if any, should be asked to potential jurors; and to reduce the time needed for asking such follow-up questions.
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A strong majority of judges (78%) who responded that they used a jury selection questionnaire believed that its use did not affect the fairness of the trial process one way or another. However, almost half of the attorneys who responded that the court had used a questionnaire believed that its use had increased the fairness of the trial process (47%); only a fraction believed that its use had decreased the fairness of the trial process (5%). In trials where a jury selection questionnaire was used, a majority of judges, and a majority of attorneys, believed that use of the questionnaire had increased both the efficiency of the trial process, and their own satisfaction with the trial process. Nearly half of the attorneys responded that use of the jury selection questionnaire had also decreased the amount of time spent to select the jury.
Strong majorities of judges and attorneys who responded that they had used a jury selection questionnaire in Phase One found the length of the questionnaire to be “about right,” rather than too long or too short. On balance, the judges and attorneys who used a jury selection questionnaire also responded that they would be likely to use such a questionnaire in the future.
A strong majority of jurors, when asked whether they would prefer to answer some jury selection questions by filling out a written questionnaire, or whether they would instead prefer to answer all of the questions out loud, responded that the use of a questionnaire would be preferable. For jurors preferring the use of a questionnaire, the most commonly cited reasons were “privacy” (46 answers), “saves time and speeds up the process” (44 answers), and “don’t feel comfortable speaking in public” (7 answers).
Conclusion
Seventy-eight percent (78%) of the judges and forty-seven percent (47%) of the attorneys believed the use of juror selection questionnaires did not affect the fairness of the trial process. A majority of the judges and attorneys believed using jury selection questionnaires increased the efficiency of the trial process. The Commission believes that the use of a written jury selection questionnaire is beneficial in the appropriate case to accommodate the prospective jurors privacy or to increase the efficiency of the trial process.
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Discussion and Analysis of the Concept of Deliberation Guidance Instructions
ABA Principles Tested
Principle 14 of the ABA American Jury Project Principles and Standards provides
that “THE COURT SHOULD INSTRUCT THE JURY IN PLAIN AND UNDERSTANDABLE LANGUAGE REGARDING THE APPLICABLE LAW AND THE CONDUCT OF DELIBERATIONS.” In furtherance of this principle, Standard 14 provides:
A. All instructions to the jury should be in plain and understandable language.
B. Jurors should be instructed with respect to the applicable law
before or after the parties’ final argument. Each juror should be provided with a written copy of instructions for use while the jury is being instructed and during deliberations.
C. Instructions for reporting the results of deliberations should be
given following final argument in all cases. At that time, the court should also provide the jury with appropriate suggestions regarding the process of selecting a presiding juror and the conduct of its deliberations.
D. The jurors alone should select the foreperson and determine how to
conduct jury deliberations.
Principle 15 of the ABA American Jury Project Principles and Standards provides that “COURTS AND PARTIES HAVE A DUTY TO FACILITATE EFFECTIVE AND IMPARTIAL DELIBERATIONS.” In furtherance of this principle, Standard 15(D) encourages that courts answer questions posed to it by the jury, to the extent it may do so. Standard 15(D) states:
D. When jurors submit a question during deliberations, the court, in consultation with the parties, should supply a prompt, complete and responsive answer or should explain to the jurors why it cannot do so.
Reasons for Test
The Commission chose to test the foregoing concepts out of a belief that they will
encourage efficient and well-informed jury deliberations. Specifically, the Commission chose these concepts believing (1) that providing jurors with straightforward suggestions on the role of jury forepersons, and on effective ways to deliberate, will minimize potential confusion and facilitate open-minded jury deliberations, (2) that providing jurors with responsive and thoughtful answers to questions the jury submits during its deliberations will make them feel more comfortable with the jury’s role and allow them to focus less on logistical questions of process, and more on the factual matters that the jurors must decide, and (3) that jurors potentially will feel more comfortable with the
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process and make decisions and weigh evidence with greater confidence if they are aware that they may submit written questions to the judge as they arise in the course of the deliberations. The Commission also observed that most trial judges in the Seventh Circuit already follow the practice (1) of giving each juror a written copy of the jury instructions so he or she may review the exact language of the law the jury is supposed to apply to the facts, and (2) providing clear instructions at the outset of deliberations as to how the jury should report its findings and how long the court expects the jury to deliberate each day.
Legal Support for Concepts Tested • FEDERAL CIVIL JURY INSTRUCTIONS OF THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT 1.32
(2005) (“Upon retiring to the jury room, you must select a presiding juror. The presiding juror will preside over your deliberations and will be your representative here in court. . . . Take these forms to the jury room, and when you have reached unanimous agreement on the verdict, your presiding juror will fill in, date, and sign the appropriate form.”).
• Shari Seidman Diamond & Jonathan D. Casper, Blindfolding the Jury to Verdict
Consequences: Damages, Experts, and the Civil Jury, 26 LAW & SOC’Y REV. 513, 548-53 (1992) (“Thus, the foreperson’s apparent influence is more than simply representational. Several pieces of evidence suggest a more active leadership role for the foreperson. . . . We have shown that forepersons appear to exert actual influence on other jurors in the course of the deliberation process rather than merely representing the predeliberation preference of the jury.”).
• State v. Green, 121 N.W.2d 89 (Iowa 1963) (reversing conviction where verdict
reached after jury deliberated for 27 hours without sleep). • Commonwealth v. Clark, 170 A.2d 847 (Pa. 1961) (reversing conviction based on
verdict returned at 5:25 a.m. following continuous deliberations). • United States v. Sims, 329 F.3d 937, 942-43 (7th Cir. 2003) (reviewing for abuse of
discretion judge’s decision to give supplemental instruction on standard of intent, and considering whether instruction as a whole treated issue fairly and adequately, was a correct statement of law, and answered jury’s question specifically).
• United States v. Young, 316 F.3d 649, 661 (7th Cir. 2002) (reviewing both judge’s
decision to answer question and language used to respond to it). • United States v. Warren, 984 F.2d 325, 329-330 (9th Cir. 1983) (holding that the trial
court’s failure to issue supplemental instructions to clarify an apparent misunderstanding by the jury concerning the definition of “premeditated” was reversible error).
• United States v. Bay, 820 F.2d 1511, 1514-15 (9th Cir. 1987) (holding that the trial
court did not abuse its discretion by limiting the scope of its response to a jury question about the instructions to the definition of “reasonable doubt”).
• Alan Reifman, et al., Real Jurors’ Understanding of the Law in Real Cases, 16 LAW
& HUM. BEHAV. 539, 549 (1992) (“However, all of these jurors had in common the
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fact that they both requested and received help from the judge. These jurors did not score significantly differently from other jurors on the procedural law. However, for questions about substantive law on which they were instructed, those who requested help were correct 54% of the time, whereas the jurors who were instructed but did not ask for help were correct 35% of the time . . . this difference was highly significant.”).
Procedures Employed
To facilitate testing the concept of providing jurors with deliberation guidance
instructions, the Commission offered several sets of suggestions. First, with regard to the logistics of choosing a presiding juror, deliberating the case, and reporting its findings, the Commission suggested that the participating judges, after giving Seventh Circuit Pattern Civil Jury Instruction 1.32, consider providing the following additional instructions:
A. Jury Instruction on the Role of the Presiding Juror:
You are free to deliberate in any way you decide or to select whomever you like as a foreperson. However, I am going to provide some general suggestions on the process to help you get started. When thinking about who should be foreperson, you may want to consider the role that the foreperson usually plays. The foreperson serving as the chairperson during the deliberations should ensure a complete discussion by all jurors who desire to speak before any vote. Each juror should have an opportunity to be heard on every issue and should be encouraged to participate. The foreperson should help facilitate the discussion and make sure everyone has a chance to say what they want to say.
B. Jury Instruction as to Suggestions for Conducting the Deliberations:
In order to help you determine the facts, you may want to consider discussing one claim at a time, and use my instructions to the jury as a guide to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to prove all the necessary legal elements for each claim or defense. I also suggest that any public votes on a verdict be delayed under everyone can have a chance to say what they think without worrying what others on the panel might think of their opinion. I also suggest that separate tasks (such as any note taking, time keeping, and recording votes) be assigned to more than one person to help break up the workload during your deliberations. I encourage you at all times to keep an open mind if you ever disagree or come to different conclusions on facts from any of your fellow jurors. Thinking about the other juror’s point of view may help you understand their position better or give you a better way to explain why you think your position is correct.
Second, with regard to instructing the jury regarding the timetable for its
deliberations, and the reporting of its verdict, the Commission suggested that the participating judges should consider informing the jury on the following issues:
A. Schedule for Deliberations: In order to lower juror anxiety about the trial interrupting the jurors’ everyday lives, the court should instruct the
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jury on its daily deliberation schedule, including whether the jury will be required to stay late (past a specific time of day) or on weekends for deliberation.
B. Reporting Jury Findings: Although most trial judges in the Seventh
Circuit already do this by using the recommended civil jury instructions available on the Seventh Circuit website, judges should give the jury specific instructions on how to report its findings when deliberations have been completed, including how to fill out the verdict forms and whom to contact when they have reached a decision.
Third, with regard to handling questions asked by the jury during deliberations,
the Commission recommended that the participating judges should, after conferring with counsel for the parties, and to the extent permitted by law, directly answer the question with a neutral explanation of the law, and suggested the following instructions and procedures for doing so:
A. Handling Questions from the Jury: The judge may consider taking a two-step approach, first, giving Seventh Circuit Pattern Jury Instruction 1.33 instructing the jury on how to ask questions, and second, informing the counsel for the parties on how he or she intends to handle the questions if they are received.
B. Jury Instructions on Asking Questions in Addition to Seventh Circuit
Pattern Civil Jury Instruction 1.33: You may, if you find it necessary during your deliberation, submit written questions to me about the case, but you should understand that you, as the jury, must decide the facts. You should make a determined effort to answer any question by referring to the jury instructions before you submit a question to me. If you do submit a question, I must show it to the lawyers for each side and consult with them before responding. I will either answer your question, or explain why I cannot answer your question.
C. Instructions to the Counsel for the Parties on Questions from the
Jury: The judge may consider taking the following steps to ensure that his or her answer to jury questions are not coercive or prejudicial to either party: (1) Any questions submitted by the jury should be numbered, designated by time and date, and filed in the court record. (2) When a question is received, counsel should be directed to assemble in the courtroom or be available by telephone to review and discuss the question with the judge on the record. (3) After the judge reads the question on the record, counsel for the parties should be heard regarding an appropriate response to be given by the judge to the jury. (4) After listening to counsel, it is within the judge’s discretion whether or not to answer the jury’s question and what form the answer, if any, should take. (5) Even if an answer is not given, the judge must still respond to the jury’s question, even if only to instruct the jury that, under the law, the judge cannot answer the jury’s question and advise the jury to continue deliberating.
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Analysis of Results
This concept was tested only in Phase One. The judges who participated in Phase One of the Seventh Circuit Project reported conducting sixteen (16) jury trials in which they provided instructions or suggestions on how to conduct jury deliberations, and sixteen (16) jury trials in which they did not. Of the jurors who reported receiving such instructions, a strong majority felt that they were required to follow the judge’s instructions regarding their deliberations.
The judges reported conducting nine (9) jury trials in which they provided instructions or suggestions on how to select a foreperson, and twenty-three (23) jury trials in which they did not. Of the jurors who reported receiving such instructions, a clear majority felt that they were required to follow the judge’s instructions regarding the selection of a foreperson.
The jurors reported selecting their forepersons in different ways. Of the Phase One jurors who described how the foreperson was selected, forty-six percent (46%) reported that the foreperson was nominated by other jurors, forty percent (40%) reported that the foreperson volunteered, and twelve percent (12%) reported that the jurors took a vote as to who would be the foreperson. Three percent (3%) reported that the foreperson was selected by draw, or by some other method of selection.
The jurors reported that their forepersons usually had the same amount of
influence as other jurors. Of the Phase One jurors who described how much influence the foreperson had on the jury’s decision, eighty-one percent (81%) reported that the foreperson had the same amount of influence as other jurors, and twelve percent (12%) reported that the foreperson had more influence than most jurors. Only two percent (2%) reported that the foreperson had more influence than any other juror, and five percent (5%) reported that the foreperson actually had less influence than most jurors.
The judges who participated in Phase One reported conducting twenty-one (21) jury trials in which the jury submitted questions to the judge during deliberations, and sixteen (16) jury trials in which the jury did not. The participating judges and attorneys reported that the most frequently occurring questions from the jury were requests concerning legal instructions or terms, requests to see evidence, and questions concerning the content of the evidence. The least frequently asked questions from the jury pertained to procedure or case management.
Of the jurors who reported that the judge answered questions posed by the panel during its deliberations, a slim majority believed that the judge “helped me understand the case better”; a large minority reported that the judge’s answer “did not affect how well I understood the case.” On the other hand, the answers the judges provided generally assisted the jury’s decision-making process. A clear majority of jurors believed that the judge’s answer was “extremely helpful” or “moderately helpful” to the jury’s decision making. Less than a quarter of jurors believed that the judges’ answers were not helpful, or actually made the jury’s decision making more difficult.
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Conclusion
The findings from the test of this concept did not shed much light on whether or how to better instruct the jury on the conduct of deliberations. Thus, the Commission does not take any position on whether the suggested procedures used to test this concept should be encouraged or not.
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Discussion and Analysis of the Concept of Trial Time Limits ABA Principle Tested
Principle 12 of the of the ABA American Jury Project Principles and Standards provides that “COURTS SHOULD LIMIT THE LENGTH OF JURY TRIALS INSOFAR AS JUSTICE ALLOWS AND JURORS SHOULD BE FULLY INFORMED OF THE TRIAL SCHEDULE ESTABLISHED.” In furtherance of this principle, Standard 12(A) encourages the use of time limits. Standard 12(A) states:
A. The court, after conferring with the parties, should impose and enforce reasonable time limits on the trial or portions thereof.
Reasons for Test
The Commission chose this concept for testing out of a belief (1) that a judge’s
use of modern trial management techniques can eliminate trial delay and disruption; (2) that jurors should be informed of the trial schedule and of any necessary changes to the schedule at the earliest possible time; (3) that time limits can be a useful tool because they promote attorney efficiency, preserve scarce judicial resources, and reduce repetition and redundancy; and (4) that time limits also minimize juror dissatisfaction by reducing the amount of time jurors are obligated to serve and by giving them a concrete expectation regarding the duration of their service.
Legal Support for Concept Tested
The imposition of reasonable time limits is authorized and supported by decisional law, and by rule authority:
• MT. Bonk Co. v. Milton Bradley Co., 945 F.2d 1404, 1408 (7th Cir. 1991) (“Trial courts have discretion to place reasonable limits on the presentation of evidence to prevent undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence. The district court’s exclusion of such evidence will not be reversed absent a clear showing of abuse.”).
• MCI Communications Corp. v. Am. Tel. & Tel. Co., 708 F.2d 1081 (7th Cir.
1983) (upholding 26-day time limit for each party to present its case in chief, despite original estimates by defendant that the time would take eight to nine months).
• Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(c) (“At any [pretrial] conference under this rule
consideration may be given, and the judge may take appropriate action, with respect to . . . (4) the avoidance of unnecessary proof and of cumulative evidence, and limitations or restrictions on the use of testimony under Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence; . . . (15) an order establishing a reasonable limit on the time allowed for presenting evidence; and (16) such other matters as may facilitate the just, speedy, and inexpensive disposition of the action.”).
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• Fed. R. Evid. 611(a) (“The judge shall exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of interrogating witnesses and presenting evidence so as to (1) make the interrogation and presentation effective for the ascertainment of the truth, (2) avoid needless consumption of time, and (3) protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment.”).
Procedures Employed
To facilitate testing the concept of imposing time limits on trials, the Commission proposed that:
• The judge should establish time limits at the pretrial conference based on input from the parties, the number and complexity of issues, the burden of proof on each party, the nature of the proof offered, and the feasibility of shortening trials through other means such as stipulations and preadmission of exhibits.
• The judge should inform the jury of the time limits in order to establish jury
expectations, and should inform the jury of any changes to those time limits at the earliest possible date.
• The judge should hold parties to the time limits and only extend them for good
cause. • The judge should make each party’s counsel responsible for keeping their own
time and opposing counsel’s time, and should confer with counsel and come to an agreement, or make a determination, as to the amount of time consumed at the end of each court day. In making this determination, counsel should only be charged when presenting their case, or when responding. For example, time spent on direct examination of a plaintiff’s witness should be charged to the plaintiff, while time spent on cross-examination of that witness should be charged to the defendant.
• The judge should use conferences outside the jury’s presence, preferably
before the jury arrives in the morning or after the jury leaves in the evening, to consider evidentiary objections that require lengthy argument.
• The judge should encourage counsel to engage in time-saving techniques,
including (1) determining which exhibits may be admitted without objection before trial; (2) creating a one-page written biography of each witness which the court can read to the jury instead of direct examination of a witness’s background and qualifications; (3) agreement by the parties to uncontested facts presented to the jury via stipulations; (4) presentation of summaries of complex and voluminous evidence pursuant to Federal Rule of Evidence 1006; and (5) committing to a firm trial date.
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Analysis of Results
The imposition of time limits was tested only in Phase One, not Phase Two. The participating judges imposed time limits in only seven (7) out of thirty-five (35) Phase One trials. This low use rate suggests that judges may be reluctant to impose time limits.
Of the judges who responded that they did not impose time limits, in a strong majority of cases, the judges believed that the use of time limits would not have affected – one way or the other – the fairness of the trial process, the efficiency of the trial process, or the judges’ satisfaction with the trial process. In the minority of cases in which judges responded that the imposition of time limits would have made a difference, in more cases the judges believed that time limits would have had a negative impact – as opposed to a positive impact – on the fairness of the trial process, on the efficiency of the trial process, and on the judges’ satisfaction with the trial process.
Of the judges who responded that they did impose time limits, in a strong majority of cases, the judges believed, likewise, that the use of time limits did not affect – one way or the other – the fairness of the trial process, the efficiency of the trial process, or the judges’ satisfaction with the trial process. However, in the minority of cases in which judges responded that the imposition of time limits did make a difference, in all of the cases the judges believed that the time limits had increased the efficiency of the trial process, and in most of the cases the judges were more satisfied with the trial process.
Conclusion
Because there were only seven (7) trials in which the participating judges imposed time limits, the sample size is too small to draw any meaningful conclusions. However, the limited evidence suggests that judges may be reluctant to impose time limits out of a belief that time limits will not increase the fairness of the trial process, the efficiency of the trial process, or satisfaction with the trial process. Trial time limits may be appropriate in certain cases, but this concept does not seem to be perceived as having enough support or demonstrable benefits to warrant any recommendation by the Commission.
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THE COMMISSION’S CALL FOR CONTINUING THE CRITIQUE OF THE CONCEPTS IN COURTROOMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
The Commission strongly encourages trial judges, both state and federal, across
the country to continue to test and critique the procedures advocated by the ABA Principles.
Of the Seventh Circuit trial judges who responded to an e-mail survey conducted in August 2008, four (4) months after Phase Two of the Seventh Circuit Project had ended, each of the responding judges who had participated in the Seventh Circuit Project continued to employ one or more of the tested concepts in subsequent civil jury trials. Additionally, ten (10) Seventh Circuit trial judges, who were not among the twenty-two (22) judges that had participated in the Seventh Circuit Project, reported that they also use one or more of the concepts in civil jury trials over which they presided.
Although some of the judges who participated in the Seventh Circuit Project were initially skeptical, they came to recognize the benefits of certain of the tested concepts – increased jury comprehension and overall satisfaction with the fairness of the jury trial process. For example, both United States District Judge Michael J. Reagan of the Southern District of Illinois and United States District Chief Judge James F. Holderman of the Northern District of Illinois have stated that, because of the benefits that accompany allowing jurors to submit written questions during the trial for witnesses to answer, they will never again conduct a civil jury trial without letting the jurors do so. See James F. Holderman, Trying the ABA’s Principles for Juries and Jury Trials, 33 LITIG. 8, 8-9 (Spring 2007).
The Commission believes that public confidence in the fairness of the jury system is promoted by using of the best procedures that judges and lawyers can provide to educate jurors on the facts and the law, and to assist the jury toward the goal of a fair verdict. If anyone remains skeptical whether the procedures derived from the American Bar Association’s Principles for Juries and Jury Trials do that, the Commission calls upon those skeptics to do what the Seventh Circuit trial judges did – take the procedures into courtrooms and try them in actual civil jury trials – and then decide.
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DATA DERIVED FROM SEVENTH CIRCUIT PROJECT
Overview of the Trial.................................................................................................... 50 Twelve-Person Juries .................................................................................................... 51 Preliminary Substantive Jury Instructions .................................................................... 52 Jury Selection Questionnaire [Phase One Only]........................................................... 54 Time Limits [Phase One Only] ..................................................................................... 57 Juror Questions for Witnesses During Trial ................................................................. 60 Interim Statements for the Jury by Counsel.................................................................. 63 Enhancing Jury Deliberations [Phase One Only] ......................................................... 66 Demographics/Backgrounds of Participants................................................................. 70
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Overview of the Trial What was your overall level of satisfaction with the trial process (on a scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all satisfied” and “7” is “Very satisfied”)?
Participant Mean Rating Judges 5.3
Attorneys 6.0 Jurors 5.7
How complex was the evidence presented at trial (on a scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all complex” and “7” is “Very complex”)?
Participant Mean Rating Judges 3.4
Attorneys 3.8 Jurors 3.9
How clearly was the evidence presented at trial (on a scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all clearly” and “7” is “Very clearly”)?
Participant Mean Rating Judges 4.3
Attorneys 5.3 Jurors 4.6
How difficult or easy was it for jurors to understand the evidence in this case (on a scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Very easy” and “7” is “Very difficult”)?
Participant Mean Rating Judges 3.6
Attorneys 3.8 Jurors 3.5
How difficult or easy was it for jurors to understand the law in this case (on a scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Very easy” and “7” is “Very difficult”)?
Participant Mean Rating Judges 3.3
Attorneys 4.3 Jurors 3.3
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Twelve-Person Juries Number of jurors deliberating:
>6 7 8 9 10 11 12 .2% 11% 18% 3% 2% 21% 44%
Generally speaking, what size of jury do you favor?
Participant 6 Jurors >6 but <12 12 Jurors Judges 6% 53% 41%
Attorneys 14% 48% 39% What is your opinion of the number of jurors who served on this trial/jury?
Participant Too few The right number Too many Attorneys 3% 77% 20%
Jurors 1% 93% 6% In your opinion, how did the number of jurors in this trial affect: The diversity of the jury?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 50% 46% 2% 2%
Attorneys 39% 54% 2% 5% The fairness of the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 26% 70% 0% 4%
Attorneys 25% 58% 2% 14% The efficiency of the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 6% 78% 16% 0%
Attorneys 12% 64% 17% 8% Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 36% 58% 6% 0%
Attorneys 17% 69% 5% 9%
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Preliminary Substantive Jury Instructions Before the jury heard any evidence, did the judge give preliminary instructions to the jury that included an explicit description of the claims and the law governing the case?
Participant Yes No Judges 69% 31%
Attorneys 82% 18% Jurors 89% 11%
Before you began hearing testimony from witnesses, did the judge tell you what the case was going to be about? [Asked of jurors only] [Asked in Phase Two only]
Response Choice % Selecting Response The way the case would be run 93% The law that would be applied in the case 66% In your opinion, how did the use of preliminary jury instructions in this case affect: [Asked of judges and attorneys only] The fairness of the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 85% (14%)4 9% (86%) 0% (0%) 6% (0%)
Attorneys 47% 35% 6% 12% The efficiency of the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 74% (7%) 20% (71%) 0% (21%) 6% (0%)
Attorneys 57% 31% 2% 10% Jurors’ understanding of the case?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 90% (43%) 3% (57%) 0% (0%) 7% (0%)
Attorneys 70% 18% 3% 10% Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 85% 15% 0% 0%
Attorneys 53% 29% 9% 9% Were there any logistical, implementation, or other problems encountered with giving these preliminary jury instructions? [Asked of judges only]
Yes No 7% 93%
4 If preliminary jury instructions were not given, judges only were asked how the use of preliminary jury instructions would have affected three of these four dimensions, which is reported in the parentheses.
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Please rate the preliminary substantive jury instructions regarding the law governing this case on the following dimensions: [Asked of attorneys and jurors only] Substantive Fairness (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all fair” and “7” is “Very fair”)
Participant Mean Rating Attorneys 5.7
Jurors N/A Length of preliminary instructions (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Too short” and “7” is “Too long”)
Participant Mean Rating Attorneys 4.3
Jurors 4.3 When administered (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all appropriate time” and “7” is “Extremely appropriate time”)
Participant Mean Rating Attorneys 5.9
Jurors 5.7 Helpful to jurors (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all helpful” and “7” is “Very helpful”)
Participant Mean Rating Attorneys 5.6
Jurors 5.9 If preliminary jury instructions were NOT given, would you have liked for the judge to give substantive jury instructions at the beginning of the trial explaining the legal issues the jury had to decide in the trial? [Asked of attorneys and jurors only]
Participant Yes No Attorneys 52% 48%
Jurors 66% 34%
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Jury Selection Questionnaire [Phase One Only] Was a jury selection questionnaire used at the beginning of the trial?
Participant Yes No Judges 58% 42%
Attorneys 83% 17% Jurors 62% 38%
In your opinion how helpful was the juror questionnaire in assisting the court to determine which potential jurors were qualified to be impaneled as jurors in this case (on a scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all helpful” and “7” is “Very helpful”)? [Asked of judges only]
Participant Mean Rating Judges 5.1
In your opinion how helpful was the juror questionnaire in assisting the court to determine what follow-up questions, if any, should be asked to potential jurors be either court or counsel (on a scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all helpful” and “7” is “Very helpful”)? [Asked of judges only]
Participant Mean Rating Judges 4.9
In your opinion how helpful was the juror questionnaire in reducing the time needed for follow-up questions to be asked of potential jurors (on a scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all helpful” and “7” is “Very helpful”)? [Asked of judges only]
Participant Mean Rating Judges 4.7
In your opinion, how did the use of the jury selection questionnaire in this case affect: [Asked of judges and attorneys only] The fairness of the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 11% (8%)5 78% (83%) 0% (0%) 11% (8%)
Attorneys 47% (23%) 41% (29%) 5% (6%) 7% (41%) The efficiency of the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 73% (0%) 14% (75%) 9% (17%) 5% (8%)
Attorneys 59% (35%) 25% (29%) 7% (6%) 9% (29%)
5 If a jury selection questionnaire was not used, judges and attorneys only were asked how the use of a jury selection questionnaire would have affected these dimensions, which is reported in the parentheses.
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Your satisfaction with the trial process? Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know
Judges 64% (0%) 23% (100%) 14% (0%) 0% (0%) Attorneys 54% (35%) 29% (29%) 8% (0%) 8% (35%)
The time spent in selecting the jury?[Asked of attorneys only]
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Attorneys 20% (53%) 27% (0%) 48% (23%) 5% (23%)
How likely are you to use a jury selection questionnaire in the future (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all likely” and “7” is “Very likely”)? [Asked of judges and attorneys only]
Participant Mean Rating Judges 6.2
Attorneys 6.1 (6.0)6 How likely are you to use a jury selection questionnaire utilized in this case in the future (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all likely” and “7” is “Very likely”)? [Asked of judges and attorneys only]
Participant Mean Rating Judges 5.5
Attorneys 5.2 Were there any logistical, implementation, or other problems encountered with using the jury selection questionnaire? [Asked of judges only]
Yes No 26% 74%
Which of the following statements best describes the length of the jury selection questionnaire used in this trial? [Asked of attorneys and jurors only]
Participant Too short About right Too long Attorneys 19% 75% 5%
Jurors 3% 92% 5%
6 If a jury selection questionnaire was not used, attorneys only were asked: If given the opportunity, how likely would you be to use a jury selection question in the future, which is reported in parentheses.
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Please rate the jury selection questionnaire on the following dimensions: [Asked of attorneys only] Completeness of jury selection questionnaire (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all complete” and “7” is “Very complete”)
Participant Mean Rating Attorneys 4.8
Organization of the jury selection questionnaire (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all organized” and “7” is “Very organized”)
Participant Mean Rating Attorneys 5.4
Usefulness of jury selection questionnaire (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all useful” and “7” is “Very useful”)
Participant Mean Rating Attorneys 5.4
Many of the questions on the jury selection questionnaire are questions the judge or the attorneys usually ask out loud in the courtroom. Which of the following would you prefer? [Asked of jurors only]
Response Choice % Selecting Response To answer some of the questions by filling out a jury selection questionnaire 77% (56%)7
To have all the questions asked out loud by the judge or attorneys
23% (44%)
Did the judge or the attorneys tell you how the information you provided in the written questionnaire would be used? [Asked of jurors only]
Yes No 50% 50%
How concerned were you, if at all, about your privacy when being asked questions on the written questionnaire (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all concerned” and “7” is “Extremely concerned”)? [Asked of jurors only]
Participant Mean Rating Jurors 2.5
How concerned were you, if at all, about your privacy when being asked questions by the judge or the attorneys out loud in the courtroom (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all concerned” and “7” is “Extremely concerned”)? [Asked of jurors only]
Participant Mean Rating Jurors 3.1
7 If a jury selection questionnaire was not used, jurors only were asked this same question, which is reported in the parentheses.
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Time Limits [Phase One Only] Which of the following statements best describes your reaction to the length of the trial? [Asked in both phases]
Participant Too short About right Too long Judges 2% 87% 11%
Attorneys 4% 87% 9% Jurors 1% 75% 24%
Please rate the trial on the following dimensions: Efficiency of the trial (was time wasted or used efficiently) (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all efficient” and “7” is “Very efficient”) [Asked in both phases]
Participant Mean Rating Judges 5.2
Attorneys 5.8 Jurors 4.8
Organization of the trial (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all organized” and “7” is “Very organized”) [Asked in Both phases]
Participant Mean Rating Judges 5.2
Attorneys 5.9 Jurors 5.3
Repetitiveness/redundancy of the evidence and/or testimony (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all repetitive” and “7” is “Very repetitive”) [Asked in both phases]
Participant Mean Rating Judges 3.7
Attorneys 4.9 Jurors 5.1
The amount of time each side had to present its case (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not enough time allowed” and “7” is “Too much time allowed”) [Asked in both phases]
Participant Mean Rating Judges 4.2
Attorneys 4.1 Jurors 4.2
Ease of understanding the case material and information presented (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not enough time allowed” and “7” is “Too much time allowed”) [Asked in Phase Two only]
Participant Mean Rating Judges 4.2
Attorneys 5.1 Jurors 5.1
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How interesting the case was in general (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not enough time allowed” and “7” is “Too much time allowed”) [Asked in Phase Two only]
Participant Mean Rating Judges 4.8
Attorneys 5.6 Jurors 5.2
Were you told by the judge at the beginning of the trial how long the trial would last or when the trial would be finished? [Asked of jurors only]
Yes No 95% 5%
If the judge did tell you how long the trial would last or when the trial would be finished, did the trial end when promised? [Asked of jurors only]
Yes No 77% 23%
How important, if at all, was it that you knew at the beginning of the trial how long the trial would be and/or what day the trial would be finished (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all important” and “7” is “Extremely important”)? [Asked of jurors only]
Participant Mean Rating Jurors 5.3
Were time limits used?
Participant Yes No Judges 20% 80%
Attorneys 31% 69% In you opinion, how did the time limits affect: [Asked of judges and attorneys only] The fairness of the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 14% (8%)8 71% (62%) 14% (27%) 0% (4%)
Attorneys 0% (12%) 83% (25%) 13% (48%) 4% (15%) The efficiency of the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 67% (8%) 33% (64%) 0% (20%) 0% (8%)
Attorneys 52% (24%) 44% (42%) 4% (13%) 0% (20%) Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 57% (12%) 29% (50%) 14% (31%) 0% (8%)
Attorneys 17% (6%) 75% (40%) 8% (38%) 0% (15%)
8 If time limits were not used, judges and attorneys only were asked how time limits would have affected these same dimensions, which is reported in the parentheses.
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How likely are you to use time limits in the future (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all likely” and “7” is “Very likely”)? [Asked of judges only]
Participant Mean Rating Judges 4.7
How likely are you to use time limits utilized in this case in the future (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all likely” and “7” is “Very likely”)? [Asked of judges only]
Participant Mean Rating Judges 4.2
Were there any logistical, implementation, or other problems encountered with using time limits? [Asked of judges only]
Yes No 33% 67%
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Juror Questions for Witnesses During Trial Were jurors permitted to submit questions for witnesses?
Participant Yes No Judges 77% 23%
Attorneys 79% 21% Jurors 83% 17%
Did jurors submit questions for any witnesses?
Participant Yes No Judges 79% 21%
Attorneys 88% 12% Jurors 52% 48%
If yes, how many questions did the jurors submit?
Participant Mean Median Mode Judges 22 17 14
Attorneys 8 5 1 Jurors 11 2 1
If yes, how many questions were witnesses permitted to answer?
Participant Mean Median Mode Judges 19 14 1
If the witness was NOT permitted to answer a juror question, what happened? [Asked of attorneys only] [Asked in Phase Two only]
Response Choice % Selecting Response Another witness answered the questions later 0% The judge answered the question 20% One of the attorneys answered the question 20% No one answered the question 67% If any of the jurors’ questions were not answered, were the jurors given a reason why the question(s) were not answered? [Asked of attorneys only] [Asked in Phase Two only]
Participant Yes No Attorneys 60% 40%
Did the judge answer or permit the witness to answer any of your questions? [Asked of jurors only]
Yes No Does not apply/I didn’t ask any questions 63% 8% 29%
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If you submitted any questions to the judge, what were the primary purposes of your questions (check all that apply)? [Asked of jurors only]
Response Choice % Selecting Response To repeat information already presented [Phase Two only] 15% To clarify information already presented 58% To check on a fact or an explanation [Phase Two only] 56% To get additional information 67% To find out the opinion of a witness 17% To resolve inconsistencies in the evidence 32% To understand the law [Phase Two only] 21% To test witness credibility [Phase Two only] 35% To link up other evidence [Phase Two only] 46% To help one side or the other [Phase Two only] 13% To make sure the trial was fair [Phase Two only] 39% To cover something that the lawyers missed [Phase Two only] 48% Other <1% If the judge did not answer any of your questions, did he/she give the reason for not answering the question(s)? [Asked of jurors only] [Asked in Phase Two only]
Participant Yes No Jurors 77% 23%
What is your opinion of the number of questions submitted by jurors during the trial?
Participant Too many An appropriate number Not enough
Judges 26% 61% 13% Attorneys 21% 69% 10%
Jurors 4% 86% 11% How would you describe the jury’s questions? [Asked in Phase Two only]
Participant Most of the
questions were relevant
Some of the questions were
relevant
Most of the questions were
irrelevant
Jury did not ask any questions
Judges 100% 0% 0% 0% Attorneys 56% 22% 22% 0%
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In your opinion, how did allowing jurors to submit questions in this trial affect: The fairness of the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 70% (25%)9 27% (50%) 0% (13%) 3% (13%)
Attorneys 46% (13%) 36% (25%) 6% (38%) 12% (25%) Jurors 67% (40%) 32% (55%) 1% (6%) N/A
The efficiency of the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 3% (0%) 73% (38%) 22% (63%) 3% (0%)
Attorneys 37% (13%) 30% (19%) 28% (63%) 5% (6%) Jurors 55% (32%) 44% (60%) 2% (9%) N/A
Jurors’ understanding of the case?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 73% (14%) 24% (57%) 0% (14%) 3% (14%)
Attorneys 62% (40%) 18% (7%) 2% (13%) 18% (40%) Jurors 83% (61%) 17% (33%) 0% (6%) N/A
Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 53% (25%) 44% (38%) 0% (25%) 3% (13%)
Attorneys 51% (25%) 30% (13%) 13% (38%) 6% (25%) Jurors 80% (44%) 20% (51%) 0% (6%) N/A
Were there any logistical, implementation, or other problems encountered with permitting jurors to submit questions? [Asked of judges only]
Yes No 32% 68%
IF JURORS NOT PERMITTED TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE WITNESSES: In your opinion, should jurors be permitted to submit questions for witnesses during the trial? [Asked of jurors only]
Yes No 72% 28%
Did you have any questions you would have liked to submit to be asked of a witness during the trial? [Asked of jurors only]
Yes No 60% 40%
9 If jurors were not permitted to submit questions for the witnesses, the judges, attorneys, and jurors were asked how permitting jurors to submit questions for the witnesses would have affected these dimensions, which are reported in parentheses.
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Interim Statements for the Jury by Counsel Were the attorneys permitted to give interim summation statements?
Participant Yes No Judges 40% 60%
Attorneys 57% 43% Jurors 39% 61%
In your opinion, how did the interim summation statements affect: [Asked of judges and attorneys only] The fairness of the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 50% (4%)10 42% (80%) 0% (12%) 8% (4%)
The efficiency of the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 42% (0%) 42% (36%) 8% (64%) 8% (0%)
Attorneys 38% (5%) 58% (32%) 4% (40%) 0% (24%) Jurors’ understanding of the case?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 83% (4%) 8% (87%) 0% (8%) 8% (0%)
Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Participant Increased Did not affect Decreased Don’t know Judges 67% (4%) 33% (54%) 0% (42%) 0% (0%)
Did you think there were any abuses of interim summation statements? [Asked of judges and attorneys only]
Participant Yes No Judges 0% 100%
Attorneys 9% 91% Would you permit interim summation statements in the future? [Asked of judges only]
Participant Yes No Judges 88% 12%
10 If interim summation statements were not permitted, judges and attorneys were asked how interim statements would have affected these same dimensions, which is reported in the parentheses.
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Did you feel that the use of interim summation statements allowed you to: [Asked of attorneys only] Better organize the evidence for the jurors (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Definitely no” and “7” is “Definitely yes”)?
Participant Mean Rating Attorneys 4.8 (3.1)11
Better explain the evidence for the jurors (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Definitely no” and “7” is “Definitely yes”)?
Participant Mean Rating Attorneys 5.3 (3.6)
Better emphasize parts of the evidence for the jurors (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Definitely no” and “7” is “Definitely yes”)?
Participant Mean Rating Attorneys 5.0 (3.9)
Is there anything you would have liked to change about the interim statements? [Asked of attorneys only] [Asked in Phase One only]
Response Choice % Selecting Response
No, they are effective 29% Yes, need guidance for when appropriate to use 14% Yes, limit to explaining what witness will say 14% Yes, limit to summary of evidence 29% Yes, keep basic 14% How did the lawyers use the interim statements during the trial? [Asked of jurors only]
Response Choice % Selecting Response
Mostly to introduce the evidence about to be presented 50% About the same in terms of introducing versus summarizing the evidence
25%
Mostly to summarize the evidence that had just been presented 25%
11 If interim summation statements were not permitted, attorneys only were asked how interim statements would have allowed the attorneys to do these three items, which is reported in the parentheses.
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Which type of interim statement did you find most helpful? [Asked of jurors only]
Response Choice % Selecting Response
When used to introduce the evidence about to be presented 32% (14%)12 When used to summarize the evidence that had just been presented 26% (25%) I think both uses of interim statements would have been equally useful
34% (30%)
Neither, I didn’t/wouldn’t find them useful at all 8% (31%) Please rate how helpful the interim summation statements were on each of the following dimensions (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not at all helpful” and “7” is “Very helpful”): [Asked of jurors only] Understanding the evidence
Participant Mean Rating Jurors 4.7
Recalling the evidence during deliberations
Participant Mean Rating Jurors 4.7
Keeping focused on the evidence
Participant Mean Rating Jurors 5.0
Making the evidence more interesting
Participant Mean Rating Jurors 4.5
Did the interim summation statements affect your verdict? [Asked of jurors only]
Yes No 12% 88%
IF INTERIM STATEMENTS WERE NOT PERMITTED OR MADE: Would you have found the use of interim summation statements during the trial to be helpful? [Asked of jurors only]
Yes No Don’t know 23% 25% 52%
12 If interim summation statements were not permitted, jurors only were asked which type of interim statements jurors would have found more useful during the trial, which is reported in the parentheses.
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Enhancing Jury Deliberations [Phase One Only] Did the judge give the jurors any instructions or suggestions on how to select a foreperson?
Participant Yes No Judges 25% 75%
Attorneys 47% 53% Jurors 49% 51%
If yes, do you feel that you had to follow the judge’s instructions about selection of a foreperson? [Asked of jurors only]
Yes No 64% 36%
How do you feel about the amount of guidance that the jury had from the judge on how to select a foreperson (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not enough” and “7” is “Too much”)? [Asked of attorneys and jurors only] [Asked in Phase One only]
Participant Mean Rating Attorneys 4.3
Jurors 4.0 Did the judge give the jurors any instructions or suggestions on how to conduct the deliberations? [Asked of jurors only]
Participant Yes No Judges 41% 59%
Attorneys 70% 30% Jurors 72% 28%
If yes, do you feel that you had to follow the judge’s instructions about conduct during your deliberation? [Asked of jurors only] [Asked in Phase One only]
Yes No 82% 18%
How do you feel about the amount of guidance that the jury had from the judge on how to conduct its deliberations (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Not enough” and “7” is “Too much”)? [Asked of attorneys and jurors only] [Asked in Phase One only]
Participant Mean Rating Attorneys 4.1
Jurors 4.2
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What best describes how the foreperson was selected? [Asked of jurors only]
Response Choice % Selecting Response He/she volunteered 41% Other jurors nominated him/her 46% We took a vote 11% Drew from a hat 2% Other 1% How much influence did the foreperson have on the jury’s decision? [Asked of jurors only]
Response Choice % Selecting Response More than any other juror 2% More than most jurors 12% The same as other jurors 81% Less than most jurors 5% How satisfied were you with the way your deliberations were conducted (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Extremely dissatisfied” and “7” is “Extremely satisfied”)? [Asked of jurors only]
Participant Mean Rating Jurors 5.7
Did the jury submit any questions during its deliberations?
Participant Yes No Judges 54% 46%
Attorneys 58% 42% Jurors 48% 52%
Did the judge answer any of the questions submitted during deliberations?
Participant Yes No Jurors did not ask questions Judges 57% 4% 39%
Attorneys 60% 8% 32% Jurors 46% 9% 45%
If the judge did not answer any of the questions submitted during deliberations, did you/the judge give a reason for not answering the questions?
Participant Yes No Jurors did not ask questions Judges 30% 10% 60%
Attorneys 40% 9% 51% Jurors 67% 33% N/A
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Were the parties cooperative (with the court and with each other) in helping to respond to questions from the jury (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Definitely no” and “7” is “Definitely yes”)? [Asked of judges and attorneys only]
Participant Mean Rating Judges 6.3
Attorneys 6.1 What types of questions did the jury submit (circle all that apply)? [Asked of judges and attorneys only]
Response Choice % Selecting Response: Judges
% Selecting Response: Attorneys
Questions about legal instructions or legal terms
55% 59%
Questions about the content of evidence 29% 49% Requests to see evidence 40% 36% Questions about procedure or case management
21% 28%
How would you describe the jury’s questions during deliberations? [Asked of judges and attorneys only]
Response Choice % Selecting Response: Judges
% Selecting Response: Attorneys
Most of the questions were relevant 77% 57% Some were relevant, some were irrelevant 3% 21% Most of the questions were irrelevant 3% 2% Jury did not ask any questions 16% 20% If you submitted questions to the judge, what were the primary purposes of your questions? [Asked of jurors only] [Asked in Phase Two only]
Response Choice % Selecting Response Repeat and clarify information already presented 60% Check on a fact or explanation 63% Get additional information 72% To find out the opinion of a witness 24% To resolve inconsistencies in the evidence 31% To understand the law 52% To help one side or the other 20% To make a point the lawyers missed 19%
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If the judge did answer some of your questions during deliberations, how did the answers affect your understanding of the case? [Asked of jurors only]
Response Choice % Selecting Response Helped me understand the case better 52% Did not affect how well I understood the case 45% Made it harder for me to understand the case 3% If the judge did answer some of your questions during deliberations, what effect did the answers have on your jury’s deliberation? [Asked of jurors only]
Response Choice % Selecting Response Were extremely helpful to the jury’s decision making 39% Were moderately helpful to the jury’s decision making 39% Were not helpful to the jury’s decision making 20% Made the jury’s decision making more difficult 3%
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Demographics/Backgrounds of Participants Judges How many civil jury trials have you had as a judge, excluding this trial?
Participant Mean Median Mode Judges 96 50 200
Please indicate what percentage of your prior civil jury trials included the following?
Practice Mean Median Mode Twelve-person juries 16% 5% 0% Preliminary substantive jury instructions 25% 2% 0% Voir dire questionnaires 39% 10% 0% Time limits 6% 1% 0% Juror questions to witnesses 21% 3% 0% Interim statements 2% 0% 0% Jury guidance instructions 37% 13% 0% Jury questions during deliberations 51% 50% 10% Attorneys Whom did you represent?
Plaintiff Defendant Other 48% 52% 0%
How many civil jury trials have you participated in, excluding this trial?
Participant Mean Median Mode Attorneys 23 6 2
Please indicate what percentage of your prior civil jury trials included the following?
Practice Mean Median Mode Twelve-person juries 39% 25% 0% Preliminary substantive jury instructions 13% 0% 0% Voir dire questionnaires 39% 20% 0% Time limits 18% 0% 0% Juror questions to witnesses 6% 0% 0% Interim statements 1% 0% 0% Jury guidance instructions 33% 1% 0% Jury questions during deliberations 33% 15% 0%
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How would you characterize the outcome of this trial for your client (scale of “1” to “7” where “1” is “Big loss” and “7” is “Big win”)?
Participant Mean Rating Attorneys 4.6
Jurors Did you ever sit on a jury before?
Yes No 28% 72%
If yes, how many juries?
Participant Mean Median Mode Jurors 2 1 1
If yes, what type of juries have you served on (check all that apply)?
Participant Civil Criminal Don’t know Jurors 55% 50% 4%
Gender
Male Female 43% 57%
Age
Participant Mean Median Mode Jurors 45 45 40
Which of the following describes your racial/ethnic background?
Response Choice % Selecting Response
Asian-American 2% Black/African-American 7% White Hispanic/Latino 7% Non-White Hispanic/Latino 1% White/Caucasian 82% Native American 0% Other 0% Are you currently employed?
Yes No 87% 13%
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What is your last year of school you completed?
Response Choice % Selecting Response Less than high school 2% High school graduate 17% Technical school/some college 18% Completed two-year college 11% Completed four-year college 35% Graduate school 17%
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QUESTIONNAIRES
Facilitator Questionnaire............................................................................................... 74 Judge Questionnaire...................................................................................................... 91 Attorney Questionnaire............................................................................................... 129 Juror Questionnaire..................................................................................................... 171
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Four different questionnaires were used in this Project. The first is the Facilitator Questionnaire, which includes case-level information about the type of case, the parties and attorneys involved, juror demographics, and which of the concepts were tested. There were separate questionnaires for the judges, attorneys, and jurors who participated in the project.
Facilitator Questionnaire
1. Judge Phase
One Two Total 0.0% 10.0% 3.7% Maria Valdez
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Joan B. Gottschall
17.6% 0.0% 11.1% David F. Hamilton
5.9% 30.0% 14.8% James F. Holderman
17.6% 50.0% 29.6% Matthew F. Kennelly
11.8% 0.0% 7.4% Joan Humphrey Lefkow
11.8% 0.0% 7.4% Amy J. St. Eve
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% John D. Tinder
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% James B. Zagel
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% James B. Moran
5.9% 10.0% 7.4% Geraldine Soat Brown
5.9% 0.0% 3.7%
Andrew P. Rodovich
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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2. Case name
Phase One Two Total
88.2% 0.0% 55.6% Unknown
0.0% 10.0% 3.7% Adams v. Catrambone et al.
0.0% 10.0% 3.7% Arreola v. Choudoy
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Biondo v. City of Chicago
0.0% 10.0% 3.7% Brennan v. Guynn
0.0% 10.0% 3.7% Bryant v. Mach 1
0.0% 10.0% 3.7% Coffie v. City of Chicago, et al.
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Manzella v. Village of Bridgeview
0.0% 10.0% 3.7% Marvin Chapman v. Guillermo Feliciano, Jesus Barajas, Theodore Lewis, and Thomas Snooks
0.0% 10.0% 3.7% Perry V. Jones
0.0% 10.0% 3.7% Sherine Gray v. Jeffrey Burke, et al.
0.0% 10.0% 3.7% Temar Harper v. Ceisel Masonry, Inc.
0.0% 10.0% 3.7%
Watson v. Abt Electronics Inc.
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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3. Individual completing information sheet
Phase One Two Total
0.0% 20.0% 7.4% Amy Dickerson
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Andrew P. Rodovich
17.6% 0.0% 11.1% Charles E. Bruess
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Donald Walker
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Evelyn A. Hollins
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Fred Vars
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Gary Leung
11.8% 0.0% 7.4% Jim Figliulo
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Joan B. Gottschall
17.6% 50.0% 29.6% Matthew Kennelly
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Megan Church
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Michael Graham
0.0% 10.0% 3.7% Michelle Mills
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Patricia C. Bobb
0.0% 10.0% 3.7% S. Ann Walls
0.0% 10.0% 3.7%
Sanya Sarich
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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4. Date completing this information sheet
Phase One Two Total
7.7% 0.0% 4.5% 27-Jan-2005
7.7% 0.0% 4.5% 31-Oct-2005
7.7% 0.0% 4.5% 3-Jan-2006
7.7% 0.0% 4.5% 5-Jan-2006
7.7% 0.0% 4.5% 13-Jan-2006
7.7% 0.0% 4.5% 27-Feb-2006
7.7% 0.0% 4.5% 8-Mar-2006
7.7% 0.0% 4.5% 10-Mar-2006
7.7% 0.0% 4.5% 21-Mar-2006
7.7% 0.0% 4.5% 14-Apr-2006
15.4% 0.0% 9.1% 18-Apr-2006
7.7% 0.0% 4.5% 27-Apr-2006
0.0% 11.1% 4.5% 20-Feb-2007
0.0% 11.1% 4.5% 22-Mar-2007
0.0% 22.2% 9.1% 17-May-2007
0.0% 11.1% 4.5% 5-Sep-2007
0.0% 11.1% 4.5% 19-Sep-2007
0.0% 11.1% 4.5% 17-Oct-2007
0.0% 11.1% 4.5% 20-Feb-2008
0.0% 11.1% 4.5%
2-Apr-2008
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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5. Jurisdiction
Phase One Two Total
70.6% 100.0% 81.5% Northern Illinois, Eastern Division
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Northern Indiana, Hammond Division
23.5% 0.0% 14.8%
Southern Indiana, Indianapolis Division
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
6. Type of case
Phase One Two Total
11.8% 10.0% 11.1% Contract
17.6% 10.0% 14.8% Tort
47.1% 70.0% 55.6% Civil rights
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Americans with Disabilities Act
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Trademark
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Patent
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% Fraud
0.0% 10.0% 3.7%
Copyright
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
7. Issues in case
Phase One Two Total
68.8% 70.0% 69.2% Liability and damages
12.5% 10.0% 11.5% Damages only
12.5% 20.0% 15.4% Liability only
6.3% 0.0% 3.8%
Invalidity/Obviousness
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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8. Claims and evidence: Number of claims by Plaintiff
Phase One Two Total
37.5% 33.3% 36.0% 1
43.8% 44.4% 44.0% 2
12.5% 22.2% 16.0% 3
6.3% 0.0% 4.0%
4
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
9. Number of claims by Defendant
Phase One Two Total
86.7% 100.0% 91.3% 0
13.3% 0.0% 8.7%
1
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
10. Number of Plaintiffs
Phase One Two Total
76.5% 100.0% 84.6% 1
11.8% 0.0% 7.7% 2
5.9% 0.0% 3.8% 5
5.9% 0.0% 3.8%
6
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
11. Number of Defendants
Phase One Two Total
35.3% 55.6% 42.3% 1
35.3% 22.2% 30.8% 2
17.6% 11.1% 15.4% 3
5.9% 11.1% 7.7% 4
5.9% 0.0% 3.8%
5
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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12. When did the trial begin?
Phase One Two Total
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 20-Mar-2005
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 17-Oct-2005
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 30-Nov-2005
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 2-Dec-2005
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 10-Jan-2006
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 17-Jan-2006
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 23-Jan-2006
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 31-Jan-2006
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 6-Feb-2006
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 21-Feb-2006
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 22-Feb-2006
12.5% 0.0% 8.0% 6-Mar-2006
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 10-Apr-2006
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 18-Apr-2006
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 24-Apr-2006
0.0% 11.1% 4.0% 20-Feb-2007
0.0% 22.2% 8.0% 19-Mar-2007
0.0% 11.1% 4.0% 14-May-2007
0.0% 11.1% 4.0% 27-Aug-2007
0.0% 11.1% 4.0% 17-Sep-2007
0.0% 11.1% 4.0% 1-Oct-2007
0.0% 11.1% 4.0% 8-Feb-2008
0.0% 11.1% 4.0%
24-Mar-2008
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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13. Were jurors told how long the trial would last?
Phase One Two Total
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Yes
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
14. Were jurors told what day the trial would end?
Phase One Two Total
60.0% 80.0% 68.0% Yes
40.0% 20.0% 32.0%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
15. How long did jury selection take? (in hours)
Phase One Two Total
18.8% 0.0% 12.0% 1.5
25.0% 22.2% 24.0% 2.0
0.0% 11.1% 4.0% 2.5
37.5% 33.3% 36.0% 3.0
6.3% 11.1% 8.0% 4.0
6.3% 11.1% 8.0% 5.0
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 6.0
0.0% 11.1% 4.0%
25.0
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
16. Did the judge use a written voir dire questionnaire to be used for jury selection?
Phase One Two* Total
46.7% .0% 46.7% Yes
53.3% .0% 53.3%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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17. Jury size
Phase One Two Total
6.3% 10.0% 7.7% 7
31.3% 20.0% 26.9% 8
6.3% 20.0% 11.5% 10
18.8% 0.0% 11.5% 11
37.5% 50.0% 42.3%
12
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
18. Juror gender
Phase One Two Total
53.4% 57.3% 54.9% Female
46.6% 42.7% 45.1%
Male
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
19. Juror ethnicity: Females
Phase One Two Total
3.5% 3.6% 3.5% Asian
8.1% 12.5% 9.9% African-American
2.3% 5.4% 3.5% Hispanic/Latino
3.5% 1.8% 2.8% White Hispanic
81.4% 76.7% 79.6% Caucasian
1.2% 0.0% 0.7%
Other/Unknown
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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20. Males
Phase One Two Total
5.3% 4.5% 5.1% Asian
5.3% 11.4% 7.6% African-American
0.0% 6.8% 2.5% Hispanic/Latino
4.0% 4.5% 4.2% White Hispanic
85.4% 70.5% 79.8% Caucasian
0.0% 2.3% 0.8%
Other/Unknown
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
21. Did the judge set time limits for the trial?
Phase One Two Total
17.6% 10.0% 14.8% Yes
82.4% 90.0% 85.2%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
22. Were jurors allowed to submit questions for the witnesses? Phase
One Two Total 64.7% 90.0% 74.1% Yes
35.3% 10.0% 25.9%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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23. How many questions did the jury submit for the witnesses?
Phase One Two Total
9.1% 0.0% 5.3% 0
0.0% 12.5% 5.3% 1
9.1% 0.0% 5.3% 3
9.1% 0.0% 5.3% 4
0.0% 12.5% 5.3% 5
0.0% 12.5% 5.3% 8
18.2% 0.0% 10.5% 13
0.0% 12.5% 5.3% 14
9.1% 0.0% 5.3% 15
0.0% 12.5% 5.3% 16
9.1% 12.5% 10.5% 18
0.0% 12.5% 5.3% 20
9.1% 0.0% 5.3% 34
9.1% 0.0% 5.3% 40
0.0% 12.5% 5.3% 49
9.1% 0.0% 5.3% 55
9.1% 0.0% 5.3%
74
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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24. How many questions did the judge permit the witnesses to answer?
Phase One Two Total
9.1% 0.0% 5.3% 0
9.1% 12.5% 10.5% 1
0.0% 12.5% 5.3% 2
9.1% 0.0% 5.3% 4
9.1% 0.0% 5.3% 6
9.1% 12.5% 10.5% 8
9.1% 12.5% 10.5% 13
0.0% 12.5% 5.3% 14
0.0% 12.5% 5.3% 15
9.1% 0.0% 5.3% 17
0.0% 12.5% 5.3% 20
9.1% 0.0% 5.3% 29
0.0% 12.5% 5.3% 35
18.2% 0.0% 10.5% 39
9.1% 0.0% 5.3%
55
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
25. Were explanatory statements/interim summaries allowed during the trial?
Phase One Two Total
37.5% 20.0% 30.8% Yes
62.5% 80.0% 69.2%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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26. Did the judge give the jury instructions on: Conducting its deliberations?
Phase One Two* Total
93.8% .0% 93.8% Yes
6.3% .0% 6.3%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
27. Selecting a foreperson?
Phase One Two* Total
93.8% .0% 93.8% Yes
6.3% .0% 6.3%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
28. Submitting questions during deliberations?
Phase One Two* Total
80.0% .0% 80.0% Yes
20.0% .0% 20.0%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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29. How long was the trial? (in days)
Phase One Two Total
11.8% 11.1% 11.5% 2.0
23.5% 22.2% 23.1% 3.0
0.0% 11.1% 3.8% 3.5
11.8% 33.3% 19.2% 4.0
0.0% 11.1% 3.8% 4.5
11.8% 0.0% 7.7% 5.0
17.6% 0.0% 11.5% 6.0
5.9% 0.0% 3.8% 7.0
11.8% 11.1% 11.5% 9.0
5.9% 0.0% 3.8%
10.0
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
30. If jurors were told what day the trial would end, did the trial end on the day promised?
Phase One Two Total
63.6% 85.7% 72.2% Yes
36.4% 14.3% 27.8%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
31. How many jurors deliberated for the trial?
Phase One Two Total
11.8% 10.0% 11.1% 7
29.4% 20.0% 25.9% 8
0.0% 10.0% 3.7% 9
5.9% 0.0% 3.7% 10
29.4% 0.0% 18.5% 11
23.5% 60.0% 37.0%
12
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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32. How many questions did the jury submit to the judge during its deliberations? Phase
One Two Total 50.0% 66.7% 56.0% 0
25.0% 11.1% 20.0% 1
0.0% 11.1% 4.0% 2
6.3% 11.1% 8.0% 4
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 6
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 7
6.3% 0.0% 4.0%
10
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
33. How long did the jury deliberate? (in hours)
Phase One Two Total
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 0.5
12.5% 11.1% 12.0% 1.0
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 1.5
6.3% 22.2% 12.0% 2.0
0.0% 11.1% 4.0% 2.5
6.3% 11.1% 8.0% 3.0
18.8% 11.1% 16.0% 4.0
12.5% 0.0% 8.0% 4.5
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 6.0
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 6.5
6.3% 11.1% 8.0% 9.0
0.0% 11.1% 4.0% 12.0
6.3% 0.0% 4.0% 15.0
0.0% 11.1% 4.0% 21.0
6.3% 0.0% 4.0%
26.0
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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34. Plaintiff verdict
Phase One Two Total
100.0% 28.6% 54.5% Yes
0.0% 71.4% 45.5%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
35. Plaintiff damages
Phase One Two* Total
75.0% .0% 75.0% $0
25.0% .0% 25.0%
$23,564,606
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
36. Defendant verdict
Phase One Two Total
100.0% 87.5% 94.1% Yes
0.0% 12.5% 5.9%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
37. Counter-plaintiff verdict
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 0.0% 0.0% Yes
.0% 100.0% 100.0%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
38. Counter-plaintiff damages
Phase One Two* Total
100.0% .0% 100.0% $0
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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39. Counter-defense verdict
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 0.0% 0.0% Yes
.0% 100.0% 100.0%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
40. How did the trial end?
Phase One Two Total
0.0% 10.0% 3.7% Mistrial
100.0% 90.0% 96.3%
Jury verdict
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
41. If the trial ended prior to a jury verdict, please indicate when the trial ended.
Phase One Two* Total
100.0% .0% 100.0% During Plaintiff 2’s case-in-chief
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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Judge Questionnaire
1. Judge Phase
One Two Total 2.6% 0.0% 2.0% Lynn S. Adelman
2.6% 0.0% 2.0% Samuel Der-Yeghiayan
0.0% 8.3% 2.0% Maria Valdez
2.6% 0.0% 2.0% Joan B. Gottschall
7.9% 0.0% 6.0% David F. Hamilton
5.3% 25.0% 10.0% James F. Holderman
10.5% 50.0% 20.0% Matthew F. Kennelly
5.3% 0.0% 4.0% Joan Humphrey Lefkow
10.5% 0.0% 8.0% Michael J. Reagan
7.9% 0.0% 6.0% Amy J. St. Eve
2.6% 0.0% 2.0% John D. Tinder
2.6% 0.0% 2.0% James B. Zagel
2.6% 0.0% 2.0% Charles N. Clevert
2.6% 0.0% 2.0% James B. Moran
2.6% 0.0% 2.0% David H. Coar
2.6% 8.3% 4.0% Geraldine Soat Brown
5.3% 0.0% 4.0% Paul R. Cherry
5.3% 0.0% 4.0% Morton Denlow
10.5% 8.3% 10.0% Barbara B. Crabb
2.6% 0.0% 2.0% John W. Darrah
2.6% 0.0% 2.0% Andrew P. Rodovich
2.6% 0.0% 2.0%
Sidney I. Schenkier
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
92
2. Date of case
Phase One Two Total
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 10-Oct-2005
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 17-Oct-2005
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 14-Dec-2005
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 3-Jan-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 5-Jan-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 7-Jan-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 13-Jan-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 23-Jan-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 27-Jan-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 30-Jan-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 6-Feb-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 27-Feb-2006
9.5% 0.0% 6.7%
6-Mar-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 20-Mar-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 10-Apr-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 11-Apr-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 17-Apr-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 18-Apr-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 24-Apr-2006
4.8% 0.0% 3.3% 4-Aug-2006
0.0% 11.1% 3.3% 20-Feb-2007
0.0% 11.1% 3.3% 22-Mar-2007
0.0% 22.2% 6.7% 17-May-2007
0.0% 11.1% 3.3% 5-Sep-2007
0.0% 11.1% 3.3% 17-Sep-2007
0.0% 11.1% 3.3%
17-Oct-2007
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
93
(continued) 0.0% 11.1% 3.3% 20-Feb-2008
0.0% 11.1% 3.3%
2-Apr-2008
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
3. District
Phase One Two Total
55.3% 91.7% 64.0% Northern Illinois
10.5% 0.0% 8.0% Southern Illinois
7.9% 0.0% 6.0% Northern Indiana
10.5% 0.0% 8.0% Southern Indiana
5.3% 8.3% 6.0% Eastern Wisconsin
10.5% 0.0% 8.0%
Western Wisconsin
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
4. Type of case
Phase One Two Total
5.6% 10.0% 7.1% Contract
11.1% 10.0% 10.7% Tort
50.0% 70.0% 57.1% Civil rights
5.6% 0.0% 3.6% Americans with Disabilities Act
5.6% 0.0% 3.6% Trademark
5.6% 0.0% 3.6% Patent
5.6% 0.0% 3.6% Fraud
5.6% 10.0% 7.1% Copyright
5.6% 0.0% 3.6%
Personal Injury
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
94
5. Issues in case
Phase One Two Total
57.1% 70.0% 62.5% Liability and damages
14.3% 10.0% 12.5% Damages only
14.3% 20.0% 16.7% Liability only
7.1% 0.0% 4.2% Injunctive relief
7.1% 0.0% 4.2%
Invalidity
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
6. What was your overall level of satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase 1 = Not at all satisfied / 7 = Very satisfied One Two Total
7.9% 0.0% 6.0% 2
5.3% 0.0% 4.0% 3
13.2% 16.7% 14.0% 4
23.7% 41.7% 28.0% 5
26.3% 33.3% 28.0% 6
23.7% 8.3% 20.0%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.3 5.3 5.3
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
95
7. How complex was the evidence presented at trial?
Phase 1 = Not at all complex / 7 = Very complex One Two Total
15.8% 8.3% 14.0% 1
21.1% 25.0% 22.0% 2
15.8% 25.0% 18.0% 3
15.8% 16.7% 16.0% 4
15.8% 25.0% 18.0% 5
7.9% 0.0% 6.0% 6
7.9% 0.0% 6.0%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 3.5 3.3 3.4
8. How clearly was the evidence presented in this trial? Phase
1 = Not at all clearly / 7 = Very clearly One Two Total 2.6% 0.0% 2.0% 1
10.5% 8.3% 10.0% 2
21.1% 41.7% 26.0% 3
18.4% 16.7% 18.0% 4
13.2% 16.7% 14.0% 5
21.1% 16.7% 20.0% 6
13.2% 0.0% 10.0%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.4 3.9 4.3
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
96
9. How difficult or easy was it for jurors to understand the evidence in this trial?
Phase 1 = Very easy / 7 = Very difficult One Two Total
15.8% 8.3% 14.0% 1
18.4% 16.7% 18.0% 2
13.2% 16.7% 14.0% 3
18.4% 25.0% 20.0% 4
15.8% 25.0% 18.0% 5
10.5% 8.3% 10.0% 6
7.9% 0.0% 6.0%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 3.6 3.7 3.6
10. How difficult or easy was it for jurors to understand the law in this trial? Phase
1 = Very easy / 7 = Very difficult One Two Total 15.8% 16.7% 16.0% 1
23.7% 33.3% 26.0% 2
15.8% 25.0% 18.0% 3
13.2% 0.0% 10.0% 4
7.9% 16.7% 10.0% 5
23.7% 8.3% 20.0%
6
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 3.4 2.9 3.3
11. If this trial had been a bench trial, what would your verdict have been? Phase
One Two Total 45.2% 50.0% 45.9% Plaintiff
54.8% 50.0% 54.1%
Defendant
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
97
12. Damages (in USD)
Phase One Two Total
0.0% 33.3% 7.7% $0
10.0% 0.0% 7.7% $500
10.0% 0.0% 7.7% $1,000
10.0% 0.0% 7.7% $25,000
30.0% 33.3% 30.8% $50,000
10.0% 0.0% 7.7% $55,000
0.0% 33.3% 7.7% $250,000
10.0% 0.0% 7.7% $400,000
10.0% 0.0% 7.7% $500,000
10.0% 0.0% 7.7%
$700,000
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
13. Did you answer Questions 1-6 before or after you learned of the jury’s verdict in this case?
Phase One Two Total
45.9% 36.4% 43.8% Before
54.1% 63.6% 56.3%
After
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
14. Generally speaking, what size of jury do you favor?
Phase One Two Total
8.1% 0.0% 6.1% 6 jurors
56.8% 41.7% 53.1% More than 6 jurors, but less than 12
35.1% 58.3% 40.8%
12 jurors
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
98
15. In your opinion, how did the number of jurors in this trial affect: The diversity of the jury?
Phase One Two Total
44.7% 66.7% 50.0% Increased
50.0% 33.3% 46.0% Did not affect
2.6% 0.0% 2.0% Decreased
2.6% 0.0% 2.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
16. The fairness of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
23.7% 33.3% 26.0% Increased
71.1% 66.7% 70.0% Did not affect
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Decreased
5.3% 0.0% 4.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
17. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
5.3% 8.3% 6.0% Increased
73.7% 91.7% 78.0% Did not affect
21.1% 0.0% 16.0%
Decreased
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
99
18. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
28.9% 58.3% 36.0% Increased
63.2% 41.7% 58.0% Did not affect
7.9% 0.0% 6.0%
Decreased
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
19. Before the jury heard any evidence, did you give preliminary instructions to the jury that included
an explicit description of the claims and the law governing this case? Phase
One Two Total 69.7% 66.7% 68.9% Yes
30.3% 33.3% 31.1%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
20. In your opinion, how did the use of preliminary jury instructions in this case affect: The fairness
of the trial process? Phase
One Two Total 84.0% 88.9% 85.3% Increased
8.0% 11.1% 8.8% Did not affect
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Decreased
8.0% 0.0% 5.9%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
21. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
76.0% 66.7% 73.5% Increased
16.0% 33.3% 20.6% Did not affect
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Decreased
8.0% 0.0% 5.9%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
100
22. Jurors’ understanding of the case?
Phase One Two Total
91.3% 85.7% 90.0% Increased
0.0% 14.3% 3.3% Did not affect
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Decreased
8.7% 0.0% 6.7%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
23. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
83.3% 88.9% 84.8% Increased
16.7% 11.1% 15.2%
Did not affect
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Decreased
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
24. Were any logistical, implementation, or other problems encountered with giving these preliminary
jury instructions? Phase
One Two Total 4.5% 16.7% 7.1% Yes
95.5% 83.3% 92.9%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
25. In your opinion, how would the use of substantive preliminary instructions have affected: The
fairness of the trial process? Phase
One Two Total 10.0% 25.0% 14.3% Increased
90.0% 75.0% 85.7%
Did not affect
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Decreased
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
101
26. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
0.0% 25.0% 7.1% Increased
70.0% 75.0% 71.4% Did not affect
30.0% 0.0% 21.4%
Decreased
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
27. Jurors’ understanding of the case?
Phase One Two Total
50.0% 25.0% 42.9% Increased
50.0% 75.0% 57.1%
Did not affect
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Decreased
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
28. Did you use a juror questionnaire during voir dire in this case?
Phase One Two* Total
58.1% .0% 58.1% Yes
41.9% .0% 41.9%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
102
29. In your opinion, how helpful was the juror questionnaire in assisting the court to determine which
potential jurors were qualified to be impaneled as jurors in this case? Phase
1 = Not at all helpful / 7 = Very helpful One Two* Total 13.6% .0% 13.6% 2
9.1% .0% 9.1% 3
4.5% .0% 4.5% 4
31.8% .0% 31.8% 5
9.1% .0% 9.1% 6
31.8% .0% 31.8%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.1 0 5.1 30. In your opinion, how helpful was the juror questionnaire in assisting the court to determine what
follow-up questions, if any, should be asked to potential jurors by either the court or counsel? Phase
1 = Not at all helpful / 7 = Very helpful One Two* Total 4.5% .0% 4.5% 2
13.6% .0% 13.6% 3
27.3% .0% 27.3% 4
22.7% .0% 22.7% 5
4.5% .0% 4.5% 6
27.3% .0% 27.3%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.9 0 4.9
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
103
31. In your opinion, how helpful was the juror questionnaire in reducing the time needed for follow-
up questions to be asked to potential jurors? Phase
1 = Not at all helpful / 7 = Very helpful One Two* Total 13.6% .0% 13.6% 1
4.5% .0% 4.5% 2
4.5% .0% 4.5% 3
9.1% .0% 9.1% 4
31.8% .0% 31.8% 5
13.6% .0% 13.6% 6
22.7% .0% 22.7%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.7 0 4.7
32. In your opinion, how did the juror questionnaire in this case affect: The fairness of the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
11.1% .0% 11.1% Increased
77.8% .0% 77.8% Did not affect
0.0% .0% 0.0%
Decreased
11.1% .0% 11.1%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
33. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
72.7% .0% 72.7% Increased
13.6% .0% 13.6% Did not affect
9.1% .0% 9.1% Decreased
4.5% .0% 4.5%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
104
34. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
63.6% .0% 63.6% Increased
22.7% .0% 22.7% Did not affect
13.6% .0% 13.6%
Decreased
0.0% .0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
35. How likely are you to use a juror questionnaire in the future?
Phase 1 = Not at all likely / 7 = Very likely One Two* Total
4.5% .0% 4.5% 2
9.1% .0% 9.1% 4
9.1% .0% 9.1% 5
9.1% .0% 9.1% 6
68.2% .0% 68.2%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 6.2 0 6.2
36. How likely are you to use the juror questionnaire utilized in this case in the future? Phase
1 = Not at all likely / 7 = Very likely One Two* Total 18.2% .0% 18.2% 1
13.6% .0% 13.6% 5
9.1% .0% 9.1% 6
59.1% .0% 59.1%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.5 0 5.5
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
105
37. Were any logistical, implementation, or other problems encountered with using the juror
questionnaire? Phase
One Two* Total 26.3% .0% 26.3% Yes
73.7% .0% 73.7%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
38. In your opinion, how would the use of a juror questionnaire have affected: The fairness of the trial
process? Phase
One Two* Total 8.3% .0% 8.3% Increased
83.3% .0% 83.3% Did not affect
0.0% .0% 0.0% Decreased
8.3% .0% 8.3%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
39. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
0.0% .0% 0.0% Increased
75.0% .0% 75.0% Did not affect
16.7% .0% 16.7% Decreased
8.3% .0% 8.3%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
40. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
0.0% .0% 0.0% Increased
100.0% .0% 100.0%
Did not affect
0.0% .0% 0.0%
Decreased
0.0% .0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
106
41. Which of the following statements best describes your reaction to the length of the trial?
Phase One Two Total
2.9% 0.0% 2.2% Too short
85.3% 90.9% 86.7% About right
11.8% 9.1% 11.1%
Too long
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
42. Please rate the trial on the following dimension: Efficiency of the trial.
Phase 1 = Not at all efficient / 7 = Very efficient One Two Total
5.7% 0.0% 4.3% 2
8.6% 18.2% 10.9% 3
11.5% 18.2% 13.1% 4
25.7% 9.1% 21.7% 5
31.4% 36.4% 32.6% 6
17.1% 18.2% 17.4%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.2 5.2 5.2
43. Organization of the trial Phase
1 = Not at all organized / 7 = Very organized One Two Total 5.7% 0.0% 4.3% 2
2.9% 9.1% 4.3% 3
8.6% 36.4% 15.2% 4
31.4% 27.3% 30.4% 5
34.3% 18.2% 30.4% 6
17.1% 9.1% 15.2%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.4 4.8 5.2
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
107
44. Repetitiveness/redundancy of the evidence and/or testimony
Phase 1 = Not at all repetitive / 7 = Very repetitive One Two Total
8.6% 9.1% 8.7% 1
34.3% 9.1% 28.3% 2
8.6% 9.1% 8.7% 3
8.6% 54.5% 19.6% 4
14.3% 9.1% 13.0% 5
22.9% 9.1% 19.6% 6
2.9% 0.0% 2.2%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 3.7 3.7 3.7
45. The amount of time each side had to present its case Phase
1 = Not enough time / 7 = Too much time One Two Total 0.0% 11.1% 2.5% 2
74.2% 88.9% 77.5% 4
16.1% 0.0% 12.5% 5
9.7% 0.0% 7.5%
6
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.4 3.8 4.2
46. Ease of understanding the case material and information presented Phase
1 = Not at all easy / 7 = Very easy One* Two Total .0% 55.6% 55.6% 3
.0% 11.1% 11.1% 4
.0% 22.2% 22.2% 6
.0% 11.1% 11.1%
7
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 0 4.2 4.2
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
108
47. How interesting the case was in general
Phase 1 = Not at all interesting / 7 = Very interesting One* Two Total
.0% 11.1% 11.1% 2
.0% 22.2% 22.2% 3
.0% 33.3% 33.3% 5
.0% 11.1% 11.1% 6
.0% 22.2% 22.2%
7
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 0 4.8 4.8
48. Did you use time limits in this case? Phase
One Two* Total 20.0% .0% 20.0% Yes
80.0% .0% 80.0%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
49. In your opinion, how did the time limits affect: The fairness of the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
14.3% .0% 14.3% Increased
71.4% .0% 71.4% Did not affect
14.3% .0% 14.3%
Decreased
0.0% .0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
50. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
66.7% .0% 66.7% Increased
33.3% .0% 33.3%
Did not affect
0.0% .0% 0.0%
Decreased
0.0% .0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
109
51. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
57.1% .0% 57.1% Increased
28.6% .0% 28.6% Did not affect
14.3% .0% 14.3%
Decreased
0.0% .0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
52. How likely are you to use time limits in the future?
Phase 1 = Not at all likely / 7 = Very likely One Two* Total
28.6% .0% 28.6% 2
14.3% .0% 14.3% 4
14.3% .0% 14.3% 5
14.3% .0% 14.3% 6
28.6% .0% 28.6%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.7 0 4.7
53. How likely are you to use the time limits utilized in this case in the future? Phase
1 = Not at all likely / 7 = Very likely One Two* Total 16.7% .0% 16.7% 1
33.3% .0% 33.3% 3
16.7% .0% 16.7% 4
33.3% .0% 33.3%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.2 0 4.2
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
110
54. Were any logistical, implementation, or other problems encountered with using time limits?
Phase One Two* Total
33.3% .0% 33.3% Yes
66.7% .0% 66.7%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
55. In your opinion, how would time limits have affected: The fairness of the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
7.7% .0% 7.7% Increased
61.5% .0% 61.5% Did not affect
26.9% .0% 26.9% Decreased
3.8% .0% 3.8%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
56. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
8.0% .0% 8.0% Increased
64.0% .0% 64.0% Did not affect
20.0% .0% 20.0% Decreased
8.0% .0% 8.0%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
57. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
11.5% .0% 11.5% Increased
50.0% .0% 50.0% Did not affect
30.8% .0% 30.8% Decreased
7.7% .0% 7.7%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
111
58. Did you allow jurors to submit questions for witnesses in this case?
Phase One Two* Total
72.2% 90.9% 76.6% Yes
27.8% 9.1% 23.4%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
59. Did the jurors in this trial submit questions for any witnesses?
Phase One Two* Total
74.1% 90.9% 78.9% Yes
25.9% 9.1% 21.1%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
112
60. If yes, how many questions did the jurors submit?
Phase One Two Total
5.3% 11.1% 7.1% 1
5.3% 11.1% 7.1% 2
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 3
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 4
10.5% 0.0% 7.1% 12
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 13
10.5% 11.1% 10.7% 14
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 15
0.0% 11.1% 3.6% 16
5.3% 22.2% 10.7% 17
10.5% 11.1% 10.7% 18
5.3% 11.1% 7.1% 20
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 30
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 37
0.0% 11.1% 3.6% 49
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 50
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 75
5.3% 0.0% 3.6%
100
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Seventh Circuit American Jury Project
113
61. If yes, how many questions were witnesses permitted to answer?
Phase One Two Total
10.5% 11.1% 10.7% 1
5.3% 11.1% 7.1% 2
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 4
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 8
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 9
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 11
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 12
10.5% 11.1% 10.7% 13
5.3% 22.2% 10.7% 14
0.0% 22.2% 7.1% 16
10.5% 0.0% 7.1% 17
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 18
0.0% 11.1% 3.6% 20
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 25
0.0% 11.1% 3.6% 35
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 36
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 49
5.3% 0.0% 3.6% 67
5.3% 0.0% 3.6%
96
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
62. What is your opinion of the number of questions submitted by jurors during the trial?
Phase One Two Total
33.3% 10.0% 25.8% Too many
52.4% 80.0% 61.3% An appropriate number
14.3% 10.0% 12.9%
Too few
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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63. How would you describe the jury’s questions?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Most of the questions were relevant
.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Some of the questions were relevant
.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Most of the questions were irrelevant
.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Jury did not ask any questions
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
64. In your opinion, how did allowing jurors to submit questions in this trial affect: The fairness of the
trial process? Phase
One Two Total 63.0% 90.0% 70.3% Increased
33.3% 10.0% 27.0% Did not affect
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Decreased
3.7% 0.0% 2.7%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
65. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
3.7% 0.0% 2.7% Increased
66.7% 90.0% 73.0% Did not affect
25.9% 10.0% 21.6% Decreased
3.7% 0.0% 2.7%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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66. Jurors’ understanding of the case?
Phase One Two Total
68.0% 87.5% 72.7% Increased
28.0% 12.5% 24.2% Did not affect
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Decreased
4.0% 0.0% 3.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
67. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
46.2% 70.0% 52.8% Increased
50.0% 30.0% 44.4% Did not affect
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Decreased
3.8% 0.0% 2.8%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
68. Were any logistical, implementation, or other problems encountered with permitting jurors to
submit questions? Phase
One Two* Total 31.8% .0% 31.8% Yes
68.2% .0% 68.2%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
69. In your opinion, how would permitting juror questions have affected: The fairness of the trial
process? Phase
One Two* Total 25.0% .0% 25.0% Increased
50.0% .0% 50.0% Did not affect
12.5% .0% 12.5% Decreased
12.5% .0% 12.5%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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70. The efficiency of the trial process? Phase
One Two* Total 0.0% .0% 0.0% Increased
37.5% .0% 37.5% Did not affect
62.5% .0% 62.5%
Decreased
0.0% .0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
71. Jurors’ understanding of the case?
Phase One Two* Total
14.3% .0% 14.3% Increased
57.1% .0% 57.1% Did not affect
14.3% .0% 14.3% Decreased
14.3% .0% 14.3%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
72. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
25.0% .0% 25.0% Increased
37.5% .0% 37.5% Did not affect
25.0% .0% 25.0% Decreased
12.5% .0% 12.5%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
73. Did you allow the attorneys to give interim statements in this case?
Phase One Two Total
46.9% 20.0% 40.5% Yes
53.1% 80.0% 59.5%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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74. How much time did you allot for interim statements? (in minutes)
Phase One Two Total
14.3% 0.0% 11.1% 0
28.6% 0.0% 22.2% 2
14.3% 0.0% 11.1% 5
14.3% 0.0% 11.1% 10
28.6% 100.0% 44.4%
15
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
75. Minutes per:
Phase One Two Total
20.0% 0.0% 14.3% Trial
60.0% 0.0% 42.9% Trial week
20.0% 100.0% 42.9%
Trial day
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
76. In retrospect that was:
Phase One Two Total
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Too much time
85.7% 100.0% 88.9% The right amount of time
14.3% 0.0% 11.1%
Too little time
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
77. In your opinion, how did the interim statements in this trial affect: The fairness of the trial
process? Phase
One Two Total 40.0% 100.0% 50.0% Increased
50.0% 0.0% 41.7% Did not affect
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Decreased
10.0% 0.0% 8.3%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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78. The efficiency of the trial process? Phase
One Two Total 40.0% 50.0% 41.7% Increased
40.0% 50.0% 41.7% Did not affect
10.0% 0.0% 8.3% Decreased
10.0% 0.0% 8.3%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
79. Jurors’ understanding of the case?
Phase One Two Total
80.0% 100.0% 83.3% Increased
10.0% 0.0% 8.3% Did not affect
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Decreased
10.0% 0.0% 8.3%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
80. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
70.0% 50.0% 66.7% Increased
30.0% 50.0% 33.3%
Did not affect
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Decreased
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
81. Did you think there were any abuses of the interim statements?
Phase One Two Total
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Yes
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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82. Would you permit interim statements in future trials?
Phase One Two Total
92.3% 66.7% 87.5% Yes
7.7% 33.3% 12.5%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
83. In your opinion, how would interim statements have affected: The fairness of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
5.6% 0.0% 4.0% Increased
72.2% 100.0% 80.0% Did not affect
16.7% 0.0% 12.0% Decreased
5.6% 0.0% 4.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
84. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Increased
35.0% 37.5% 35.7% Did not affect
65.0% 62.5% 64.3%
Decreased
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
85. Jurors’ understanding of the case?
Phase One Two Total
5.9% 0.0% 4.2% Increased
82.4% 100.0% 87.5% Did not affect
11.8% 0.0% 8.3%
Decreased
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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86. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
5.9% 0.0% 4.2% Increased
41.2% 85.7% 54.2% Did not affect
52.9% 14.3% 41.7%
Decreased
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
87. Did you give jurors any instructions or suggestions on how to select a foreperson?
Phase One Two Total
28.1% 16.7% 25.0% Yes
71.9% 83.3% 75.0%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
88. Did you give jurors any instructions or suggestions on how to conduct its deliberations?
Phase One Two Total
50.0% 16.7% 40.9% Yes
50.0% 83.3% 59.1%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
89. Did the jury submit any questions to you during its deliberations?
Phase One Two Total
56.8% 45.5% 54.2% Yes
43.2% 54.5% 45.8%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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90. Did you answer any of the questions that the jury submitted during its deliberations?
Phase One Two Total
60.6% 45.5% 56.8% Yes
6.1% 0.0% 4.5% No
33.3% 54.5% 38.6%
Jury did not ask any questions
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
91. Were the parties cooperative (with the court and with each other) in helping to respond to
questions from the jury? Phase
1 = Not at all cooperative / 7 = Very cooperative One Two Total 4.5% 0.0% 3.6% 2
0.0% 16.7% 3.6% 3
4.5% 0.0% 3.6% 4
9.1% 0.0% 7.1% 5
13.6% 16.7% 14.3% 6
68.2% 66.7% 67.9%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 6.3 6.2 6.3
92. If you did not answer any of the questions, did you give the jury a reason for not answering the question(s)?
Phase One Two Total
37.5% 0.0% 30.0% Yes
0.0% 50.0% 10.0% No
62.5% 50.0% 60.0%
Jury did not ask any questions
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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93. What types of questions did the jury submit? Questions about legal instructions or terms
Phase One Two Total
57.9% 0.0% 55.0% Yes
42.1% 100.0% 45.0%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
94. Questions about the content of the evidence
Phase One Two Total Yes 21.1% 100.0% 28.6% No 78.9% 0.0% 71.4%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
95. Requests to see evidence
Phase One Two Total Yes 38.9% 50.0% 40.0% No 61.1% 50.0% 60.0%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
96. Questions about procedure or case management
Phase One Two Total Yes 12.5% 66.7% 21.1% No 87.5% 33.3% 78.9%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
97. How would you describe the jury’s questions?
Phase One Two Total
76.9% 80.0% 77.4% Most of the questions were relevant
0.0% 20.0% 3.2% Some of the questions were relevant
3.8% 0.0% 3.2% Most of the questions were irrelevant
19.2% 0.0% 16.1%
Jury did not ask any questions
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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98. How many civil jury trials have you had as a judge, excluding this trial?
Phase One Two Total
0.0% 11.1% 2.4% 3
3.0% 0.0% 2.4% 4
0.0% 22.2% 4.8% 6
6.1% 0.0% 4.8% 14
3.0% 0.0% 2.4% 15
3.0% 0.0% 2.4% 16
3.0% 0.0% 2.4% 20
15.2% 0.0% 11.9% 25
3.0% 0.0% 2.4% 28
3.0% 0.0% 2.4% 33
3.0% 0.0% 2.4% 37
6.1% 0.0% 4.8% 40
0.0% 11.1% 2.4% 45
3.0% 11.1% 4.8% 50
3.0% 0.0% 2.4% 55
3.0% 0.0% 2.4% 57
3.0% 0.0% 2.4% 67
3.0% 0.0% 2.4% 75
9.1% 0.0% 7.1% 100
3.0% 0.0% 2.4% 150
15.2% 33.3% 19.0% 200
6.1% 0.0% 4.8% 250
3.0% 0.0% 2.4% 300
0.0% 11.1% 2.4%
400
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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99. Please indicate what percentage of your prior civil jury trials included the following: 12 person
juries. Phase
One Two Total 44.1% 18.2% 37.8% 0
2.9% 0.0% 2.2% 1
5.9% 0.0% 4.4% 2
2.9% 0.0% 2.2% 3
20.6% 27.3% 22.2% 5
2.9% 0.0% 2.2% 7
8.8% 0.0% 6.7% 10
5.9% 0.0% 4.4% 15
2.9% 0.0% 2.2% 25
0.0% 9.1% 2.2% 40
0.0% 9.1% 2.2% 60
2.9% 0.0% 2.2% 75
0.0% 36.4% 8.9%
100
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
100. Preliminary substantive jury instructions
Phase One Two Total
54.5% 30.0% 48.8% 0
9.1% 20.0% 11.6% 2
9.1% 0.0% 7.0% 5
3.0% 0.0% 2.3% 15
3.0% 0.0% 2.3% 20
0.0% 10.0% 2.3% 30
3.0% 0.0% 2.3% 40
3.0% 0.0% 2.3% 50
15.2% 40.0% 20.9%
100
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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101. Voir dire questionnaires
Phase One Two* Total
36.4% .0% 36.4% 0
6.1% .0% 6.1% 1
3.0% .0% 3.0% 2
3.0% .0% 3.0% 5
3.0% .0% 3.0% 10
9.1% .0% 9.1% 25
3.0% .0% 3.0% 50
3.0% .0% 3.0% 60
3.0% .0% 3.0% 90
30.3% .0% 30.3%
100
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
102. Time limits
Phase One Two* Total
50.0% .0% 50.0% 0
23.5% .0% 23.5% 1
5.9% .0% 5.9% 2
5.9% .0% 5.9% 3
2.9% .0% 2.9% 5
2.9% .0% 2.9% 7
2.9% .0% 2.9% 10
2.9% .0% 2.9% 50
2.9% .0% 2.9%
100
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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103. Juror questions to witnesses
Phase One Two Total
38.2% 30.0% 36.4% 0
8.8% 10.0% 9.1% 1
5.9% 0.0% 4.5% 2
2.9% 0.0% 2.3% 4
17.6% 0.0% 13.6% 5
2.9% 0.0% 2.3% 9
2.9% 0.0% 2.3% 12
2.9% 0.0% 2.3% 15
0.0% 10.0% 2.3% 17
0.0% 10.0% 2.3% 30
2.9% 0.0% 2.3% 40
5.9% 0.0% 4.5% 50
2.9% 0.0% 2.3% 75
2.9% 0.0% 2.3% 90
2.9% 40.0% 11.4%
100
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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104. Interim statements
Phase One Two Total
78.1% 80.0% 78.6% 0
3.1% 20.0% 7.1% 1
3.1% 0.0% 2.4% 2
6.3% 0.0% 4.8% 5
3.1% 0.0% 2.4% 10
3.1% 0.0% 2.4% 15
3.1% 0.0% 2.4%
25
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
105. Jury instructions regarding conducting deliberations, foreperson selection, and questions during
deliberation Phase
One Two Total 40.6% 20.0% 35.7% 0
3.1% 10.0% 4.8% 1
6.3% 10.0% 7.1% 2
3.1% 0.0% 2.4% 10
3.1% 0.0% 2.4% 15
6.3% 10.0% 7.1% 25
0.0% 10.0% 2.4% 33
0.0% 30.0% 7.1% 50
3.1% 0.0% 2.4% 80
0.0% 10.0% 2.4% 90
34.4% 0.0% 26.2%
100
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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106. Jury questions during deliberation
Phase One Two* Total
6.3% .0% 6.3% 0
3.1% .0% 3.1% 5
12.5% .0% 12.5% 10
3.1% .0% 3.1% 20
3.1% .0% 3.1% 30
9.4% .0% 9.4% 33
3.1% .0% 3.1% 35
3.1% .0% 3.1% 45
12.5% .0% 12.5% 50
3.1% .0% 3.1% 60
3.1% .0% 3.1% 70
3.1% .0% 3.1% 74
9.4% .0% 9.4% 75
9.4% .0% 9.4% 80
6.3% .0% 6.3% 90
3.1% .0% 3.1% 95
6.3% .0% 6.3%
100
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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Attorney Questionnaire
1. Judge on the case Phase
One Two Total 2.7% 0.0% 2.3% Lynn S. Adelman
2.7% 0.0% 2.3% Samuel Der-Yeghiayan
0.0% 8.3% 1.2% Maria Valdez
2.7% 0.0% 2.3% Joan B. Gottschall
6.8% 0.0% 5.8% David F. Hamilton
9.5% 16.7% 10.5% James F. Holderman
4.1% 50.0% 10.5% Matthew F. Kennelly
16.2% 0.0% 14.0% Joan Humphrey Lefkow
17.6% 0.0% 15.1% Michael J. Reagan
13.5% 0.0% 11.6% Amy J. St. Eve
5.4% 0.0% 4.7% John D. Tinder
1.4% 8.3% 2.3% Charles N. Clevert
5.4% 0.0% 4.7% James B. Moran
4.1% 0.0% 3.5% David H. Coar
2.7% 16.7% 4.7% Geraldine Soat Brown
1.4% 0.0% 1.2% Barbara B. Crabb
2.7% 0.0% 2.3% John W. Darrah
1.4% 0.0% 1.2%
Sidney I. Schenkier
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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2. Date of the case
Phase One Two Total
3.3% 0.0% 2.9% 30-Jan-2005
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 10-Oct-2005
3.3% 0.0% 2.9% 17-Oct-2005
3.3% 0.0% 2.9% 14-Dec-2005
6.7% 0.0% 5.7% 3-Jan-2006
5.0% 0.0% 4.3% 7-Jan-2006
10.0% 0.0% 8.6% 13-Jan-2006
8.3% 0.0% 7.1% 17-Jan-2006
6.7% 0.0% 5.7% 27-Jan-2006
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 31-Jan-2006
6.7% 0.0% 5.7% 6-Feb-2006
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 21-Feb-2006
5.0% 0.0% 4.3% 27-Feb-2006
8.3% 0.0% 7.1% 6-Mar-2006
3.3% 0.0% 2.9% 21-Mar-2006
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 10-Apr-2006
3.3% 0.0% 2.9% 11-Apr-2006
10.0% 0.0% 8.6% 14-Apr-2006
10.0% 0.0% 8.6% 18-Apr-2006
0.0% 20.0% 2.9% 20-Feb-2007
0.0% 20.0% 2.9% 22-Mar-2007
0.0% 30.0% 4.3% 17-May-2007
0.0% 20.0% 2.9% 30-Aug-2007
0.0% 10.0% 1.4%
20-Feb-2008
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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3. District
Phase One Two Total
64.9% 91.7% 68.6% Northern Illinois
14.9% 0.0% 12.8% Southern Illinois
12.2% 0.0% 10.5% Southern Indiana
6.8% 8.3% 7.0%
Eastern Wisconsin
1.4% 0.0% 1.2%
Western Wisconsin
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
4. Type of case
Phase One Two Total
0.0% 9.1% 1.8% Contract
8.9% 18.2% 10.7% Tort
71.1% 54.5% 67.9% Civil rights
2.2% 0.0% 1.8% Americans with Disabilities Act
13.3% 0.0% 10.7% Trademark
4.4% 0.0% 3.6% Fraud
0.0% 18.2% 3.6%
Copyright
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
5. Issues in the case
Phase One Two Total
38.5% 72.7% 46.0% Liability and damages
17.9% 18.2% 18.0% Damages only
28.2% 9.1% 24.0% Liability only
15.4% 0.0% 12.0%
Injunctive relief
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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6. What was your overall level of satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase 1 = Not at all satisfied / 7 = Very satisfied One Two Total
1.4% 0.0% 1.2% 1
2.7% 0.0% 2.3% 3
5.4% 8.3% 5.8% 4
20.3% 8.3% 18.6% 5
28.4% 41.7% 30.2% 6
41.9% 41.7% 41.9%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 6.0 6.2 6.0
7. How complex was the evidence presented at trial?
Phase 1 = Not at all complex / 7 = Very complex One Two Total
5.4% 0.0% 4.7% 1
14.9% 25.0% 16.3% 2
21.6% 25.0% 22.1% 3
21.6% 33.3% 23.3% 4
21.6% 16.7% 20.9% 5
10.8% 0.0% 9.3% 6
4.1% 0.0% 3.5%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 3.9 3.4 3.8
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8. How clearly was the evidence presented in this trial?
Phase 1 = Not at all clearly / 7 = Very clearly One Two Total
1.4% 0.0% 1.2% 2
2.8% 0.0% 2.4% 3
19.4% 16.7% 19.0% 4
34.7% 33.3% 34.5% 5
27.8% 41.7% 29.8% 6
13.9% 8.3% 13.1%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.3 5.4 5.3
9. How difficult or easy was it for jurors to understand the evidence in this trial?
Phase 1 = Very easy / 7 = Very difficult One Two Total
2.9% 20.0% 5.0% 1
21.4% 0.0% 18.8% 2
21.4% 30.0% 22.5% 3
20.0% 20.0% 20.0% 4
12.9% 20.0% 13.8% 5
21.4% 10.0% 20.0%
6
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 3.8 3.5 3.8
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10. How difficult or easy was it for jurors to understand the law in this trial?
Phase 1 = Very easy / 7 = Very difficult One Two Total
7.1% 20.0% 8.8% 1
10.0% 0.0% 8.8% 2
12.9% 20.0% 13.8% 3
15.7% 20.0% 16.3% 4
21.4% 20.0% 21.3% 5
25.7% 10.0% 23.8% 6
7.1% 10.0% 7.5%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.4 3.9 4.3
11. In this trial, did you or will you order a daily transcript of the trial proceedings?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 20.0% 20.0% Yes, did order
.0% 10.0% 10.0% Yes, will order
.0% 70.0% 70.0%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
12. Generally speaking, what size of jury do you favor?
Phase One Two Total
14.9% 9.1% 14.1% 6 jurors
48.6% 45.5% 48.2% More than 6 jurors, but less than 12
36.5% 45.5% 37.6%
12 jurors
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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13. What is your opinion of the number of jurors who served on this trial?
Phase One Two Total
2.7% 8.3% 3.5% Too few
77.0% 75.0% 76.7% An appropriate number
20.3% 16.7% 19.8%
Too many
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
14. In your opinion, how did the number of jurors in this trial affect: The diversity of the jury?
Phase One Two Total
41.7% 25.0% 39.3% Increased
52.8% 58.3% 53.6% Did not affect
1.4% 8.3% 2.4% Decreased
4.2% 8.3% 4.8%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
15. The fairness of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
26.4% 16.7% 25.0% Increased
61.1% 41.7% 58.3% Did not affect
0.0% 16.7% 2.4% Decreased
12.5% 25.0% 14.3%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
16. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
11.0% 16.7% 11.8% Increased
65.8% 50.0% 63.5% Did not affect
17.8% 8.3% 16.5% Decreased
5.5% 25.0% 8.2%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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17. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
16.7% 16.7% 16.7% Increased
70.8% 58.3% 69.0% Did not affect
4.2% 8.3% 4.8% Decreased
8.3% 16.7% 9.5%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
18. Before the jury heard any evidence, did the judge give preliminary instructions to the jury that
included an explicit description of the claims and the law governing this case? Phase
One Two Total 82.2% 83.3% 82.4% Yes
17.8% 16.7% 17.6%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
19. Please rate the preliminary substantive jury instructions regarding the law governing this case on
the following dimensions (circle the number on the scale that best reflects your opinion for the particular characteristic): Substantive fairness.
Phase 1 = Not at all fair / 7 = Very fair One Two Total
3.4% 0.0% 2.9% 2
8.5% 0.0% 7.2% 3
15.3% 0.0% 13.0% 4
16.9% 10.0% 15.9% 5
15.3% 10.0% 14.5% 6
40.7% 80.0% 46.4%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.5 6.7 5.7
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20. Length of the preliminary instructions
Phase 1 = Too short / 7 = Too long One Two Total
1.8% 0.0% 1.5% 2
5.4% 0.0% 4.5% 3
62.5% 90.0% 66.7% 4
19.6% 10.0% 18.2% 5
5.4% 0.0% 4.5% 6
5.4% 0.0% 4.5%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.4 4.1 4.3
21. When they were administered Phase
1 = Not at all appropriate time / 7 = Very appropriate time One Two Total 1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 1
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 3
16.9% 10.0% 15.9% 4
13.6% 10.0% 13.0% 5
25.4% 10.0% 23.2% 6
40.7% 70.0% 44.9%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.8 6.4 5.9
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22. Were they helpful to jurors?
Phase 1 = Not at all helpful / 7 = Very helpful One Two Total
1.8% 0.0% 1.6% 2
20.0% 0.0% 17.5% 4
29.1% 25.0% 28.6% 5
29.1% 12.5% 27.0% 6
20.0% 62.5% 25.4%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.4 6.4 5.6 23. In your opinion, how did the use of preliminary jury instructions in this case affect: The fairness
of the trial process? Phase
One Two Total 46.6% 50.0% 47.1% Increased
36.2% 30.0% 35.3% Did not affect
6.9% 0.0% 5.9% Decreased
10.3% 20.0% 11.8%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
24. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
54.4% 70.0% 56.7% Increased
35.1% 10.0% 31.3% Did not affect
1.8% 0.0% 1.5% Decreased
8.8% 20.0% 10.4%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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25. Jurors’ understanding of the case?
Phase One Two Total
72.2% 55.6% 69.8% Increased
16.7% 22.2% 17.5% Did not affect
3.7% 0.0% 3.2% Decreased
7.4% 22.2% 9.5%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
26. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
50.0% 70.0% 52.9% Increased
32.8% 10.0% 29.4% Did not affect
10.3% 0.0% 8.8% Decreased
6.9% 20.0% 8.8%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
27. Would you have liked the judge give substantive jury instructions regarding the law governing
this case to the jury at the beginning of the trial? Phase
One Two Total 50.0% 100.0% 51.6% Yes
50.0% 0.0% 48.4%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
28. Did the jurors in this case complete a questionnaire at the beginning of the trial for purposes of
jury selection? Phase
One Two* Total 82.6% .0% 82.6% Yes
17.4% .0% 17.4%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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29. Which of the following statements best describes the length of the voir dire questionnaire used in
this trial? Phase
One Two* Total 19.3% .0% 19.3% Too short
75.4% .0% 75.4% About right
5.3% .0% 5.3%
Too long
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
30. Please rate the juror questionnaire on the following dimensions (circle the number on the scale
that best reflects your opinion regarding the particular characteristic): Completeness. Phase
1 = Not at all complete / 7 = Very complete One Two* Total 1.8% .0% 1.8% 1
5.4% .0% 5.4% 2
8.9% .0% 8.9% 3
19.6% .0% 19.6% 4
32.1% .0% 32.1% 5
26.8% .0% 26.8% 6
5.4% .0% 5.4%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.8 .0% 4.8
31. Organization of the juror questionnaire Phase
1 = Not at all organized / 7 = Very organized One Two* Total 3.6% .0% 3.6% 2
3.6% .0% 3.6% 3
12.5% .0% 12.5% 4
23.2% .0% 23.2% 5
46.4% .0% 46.4% 6
10.7% .0% 10.7%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.4 .0% 5.4
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32. Usefulness of the juror questionnaire
Phase 1 = Not at all useful / 7 = Very useful One Two* Total
3.6% .0% 3.6% 2
7.1% .0% 7.1% 3
10.7% .0% 10.7% 4
23.2% .0% 23.2% 5
30.4% .0% 30.4% 6
25.0% .0% 25.0%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.4 .0% 5.4
33. In your opinion, how did the juror questionnaire in this case affect: The fairness of the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
47.5% .0% 47.5% Increased
40.7% .0% 40.7% Did not affect
5.1% .0% 5.1% Decreased
6.8% .0% 6.8%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
34. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
59.3% .0% 59.3% Increased
25.4% .0% 25.4% Did not affect
6.8% .0% 6.8% Decreased
8.5% .0% 8.5%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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35. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
54.2% .0% 54.2% Increased
28.8% .0% 28.8% Did not affect
8.5% .0% 8.5% Decreased
8.5% .0% 8.5%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
36. The time selecting the jury?
Phase One Two* Total
20.3% .0% 20.3% Increased
27.1% .0% 27.1% Did not affect
47.5% .0% 47.5% Decreased
5.1% .0% 5.1%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
37. If you were given the opportunity, how likely would you be to use a juror questionnaire in the
future? Phase
1 = Not at all likely / 7 = Very likely One Two* Total 5.1% .0% 5.1% 1
3.4% .0% 3.4% 2
1.7% .0% 1.7% 4
6.8% .0% 6.8% 5
23.7% .0% 23.7% 6
59.3% .0% 59.3%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 6.1 .0% 6.1
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38. If you were given the opportunity, how likely would you be to use the juror questionnaire utilized
in this case in the future? Phase
1 = Not at all likely / 7 = Very likely One Two* Total 8.5% .0% 8.5% 1
5.1% .0% 5.1% 2
5.1% .0% 5.1% 3
6.8% .0% 6.8% 4
13.6% .0% 13.6% 5
33.9% .0% 33.9% 6
27.1% .0% 27.1%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.2 .0% 5.2 39. In your opinion, how would the use of a juror questionnaire have affected: The fairness of the trial
process? Phase
One Two* Total 23.5% .0% 23.5% Increased
29.4% .0% 29.4% Did not affect
5.9% .0% 5.9% Decreased
41.2% .0% 41.2%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
40. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
35.3% .0% 35.3% Increased
29.4% .0% 29.4% Did not affect
5.9% .0% 5.9% Decreased
29.4% .0% 29.4%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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41. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
35.3% .0% 35.3% Increased
29.4% .0% 29.4% Did not affect
0.0% .0% 0.0% Decreased
35.3% .0% 35.3%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
42. The time spent in selecting the jury?
Phase One Two* Total
52.9% .0% 52.9% Increased
0.0% .0% 0.0% Did not affect
23.5% .0% 23.5% Decreased
23.5% .0% 23.5%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
43. If given the opportunity, how likely would you be to use a juror questionnaire in the future?
Phase 1 = Not at all likely / 7 = Very likely One Two* Total
6.7% .0% 6.7% 3
13.3% .0% 13.3% 4
33.3% .0% 33.3% 6
46.7% .0% 46.7%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 6.0 .0% 6.0
44. Which of the following statements best describes your reaction to the length of the trial? Phase
One Two Total 4.3% 0.0% 3.8% Too short
87.0% 90.9% 87.5% About right
8.7% 9.1% 8.8%
Too long
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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45. Please rate the trial on the following dimension: Efficiency of the trial.
Phase 1 = Not at all efficient / 7 = Very efficient One Two Total
2.9% 9.1% 3.7% 2
4.3% 0.0% 3.7% 3
5.7% 9.1% 6.2% 4
18.6% 0.0% 16.0% 5
30.0% 63.6% 34.6% 6
38.6% 18.2% 35.8%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.8 5.6 5.8
46. Organization of the trial Phase
1 = Not at all organized / 7 = Very organized One Two Total 5.7% 0.0% 4.9% 3
7.1% 0.0% 6.2% 4
15.7% 18.2% 16.0% 5
38.6% 54.5% 40.7% 6
32.9% 27.3% 32.1%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.9 6.0 5.9
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47. Repetitiveness/redundancy of the evidence and/or testimony
Phase 1 = Not at all repetitive / 7 = Very repetitive One Two Total
11.4% 0.0% 9.9% 1
21.4% 18.2% 21.0% 2
11.4% 9.1% 11.1% 3
22.9% 27.3% 23.5% 4
22.9% 36.4% 24.7% 5
10.0% 9.1% 9.9%
6
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.0 4.1 4.9
48. The amount of time each side had to present its case Phase
1 = Not enough time allowed / 7 = Too much time allowed One Two Total 5.8% 0.0% 5.0% 3
78.3% 90.9% 80.0% 4
11.6% 9.1% 11.3% 5
4.3% 0.0% 3.8%
6
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.1 4.1 4.1
49. Ease of understanding the case material and information presented Phase
1 = Very easy / 7 = Very difficult One* Two Total .0% 9.1% 9.1% 3
.0% 45.5% 45.5% 4
.0% 9.1% 9.1% 5
.0% 36.4% 36.4%
7
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean .0% 5.1 5.1
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50. How interesting the case was in general
Phase 1 = Not at all interesting / 7 = Very interesting One* Two Total
.0% 9.1% 9.1% 3
.0% 18.2% 18.2% 5
.0% 63.6% 63.6% 6
.0% 9.1% 9.1%
7
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean .0% 5.6 5.6
51. Were there time limits in this case? Phase
One Two* Total 31.3% .0% 31.3% Yes
68.7% .0% 68.7%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
52. In your opinion, how did the time limits affect: The fairness of the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
0.0% .0% 0.0% Increased
83.3% .0% 83.3% Did not affect
12.5% .0% 12.5% Decreased
4.2% .0% 4.2%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
53. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
52.2% .0% 52.2% Increased
43.5% .0% 43.5% Did not affect
4.3% .0% 4.3%
Decreased
0.0% .0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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54. Your satisfaction with the trial process? Phase
One Two* Total 16.7% .0% 16.7% Increased
75.0% .0% 75.0% Did not affect
8.3% .0% 8.3%
Decreased
0.0% .0% 0.0%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
55. In your opinion, how would time limits have affected: The fairness of the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
12.5% .0% 12.5% Increased
25.0% .0% 25.0% Did not affect
47.9% .0% 47.9% Decreased
14.6% .0% 14.6%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
56. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
24.4% .0% 24.4% Increased
42.2% .0% 42.2% Did not affect
13.3% .0% 13.3% Decreased
20.0% .0% 20.0%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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57. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two* Total
6.4% .0% 6.4% Increased
40.4% .0% 40.4% Did not affect
38.3% .0% 38.3% Decreased
14.9% .0% 14.9%
Don’t know
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
58. Were jurors permitted to submit questions for witnesses in this case?
Phase One Two Total
79.1% 81.8% 79.5% Yes
20.9% 18.2% 20.5%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
59. Did jurors submit questions for any witnesses?
Phase One Two Total
86.2% 100.0% 88.2% Yes
13.8% 0.0% 11.8%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
60. Approximately how many questions did the jurors submit?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 22.2% 22.2% 1
.0% 11.1% 11.1% 2
.0% 11.1% 11.1% 3
.0% 11.1% 11.1% 5
.0% 22.2% 22.2% 10
.0% 11.1% 11.1% 15
.0% 11.1% 11.1%
25
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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61. Approximately how many questions did the judge permit the witness to answer?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 12.5% 12.5% 0
.0% 25.0% 25.0% 1
.0% 12.5% 12.5% 3
.0% 12.5% 12.5% 8
.0% 25.0% 25.0% 10
.0% 12.5% 12.5%
15
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
62. If the witness was NOT permitted to answer a juror questions, what happened? Another witness
answered the questions later Phase
One* Two Total .0% 0.0% 0.0% Yes
.0% 100.0% 100.0%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
63. The judge answered the question
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 20.0% 20.0% Yes
.0% 80.0% 80.0%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
64. One of the attorneys answered the question
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 20.0% 20.0% Yes
.0% 80.0% 80.0%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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65. No one answered the question
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 66.7% 66.7% Yes
.0% 33.3% 33.3%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
66. If any of the jurors’ questions were not answered, were the jurors given a reason why the
question(s) were not answered? Phase
One* Two Total .0% 60.0% 60.0% Yes
.0% 40.0% 40.0%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
67. What is your opinion of the number of questions submitted by jurors during the trial?
Phase One Two Total
24.5% 0.0% 21.0% Too many
66.0% 88.9% 69.4% An appropriate number
9.4% 11.1% 9.7%
Not enough
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
68. How would you describe the jury’s questions?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 55.6% 55.6% Most were relevant
.0% 22.2% 22.2% Some were relevant
.0% 22.2% 22.2%
Most of the questions were irrelevant
.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Jury did not ask questions
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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69. In your opinion, how did allowing jurors to submit questions in this trial affect: The fairness of the
trial process? Phase
One Two Total 42.9% 60.0% 45.5% Increased
35.7% 40.0% 36.4% Did not affect
7.1% 0.0% 6.1% Decreased
14.3% 0.0% 12.1%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
70. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
30.9% 70.0% 36.9% Increased
30.9% 30.0% 30.8% Did not affect
32.7% 0.0% 27.7% Decreased
5.5% 0.0% 4.6%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
71. Jurors’ understanding of the case?
Phase One Two Total
60.0% 70.0% 61.5% Increased
18.2% 20.0% 18.5% Did not affect
1.8% 0.0% 1.5% Decreased
20.0% 10.0% 18.5%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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72. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
45.3% 80.0% 50.8% Increased
32.1% 20.0% 30.2% Did not affect
15.1% 0.0% 12.7% Decreased
7.5% 0.0% 6.3%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
73. In your opinion, how would permitting juror questions have affected: The fairness of the trial
process? Phase
One Two Total 14.3% 0.0% 12.5% Increased
28.6% 0.0% 25.0% Did not affect
42.9% 0.0% 37.5% Decreased
14.3% 100.0% 25.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
74. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
14.3% 0.0% 12.5% Increased
21.4% 0.0% 18.8% Did not affect
64.3% 50.0% 62.5% Decreased
0.0% 50.0% 6.3%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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75. Jurors’ understanding of the case?
Phase One Two Total
46.2% 0.0% 40.0% Increased
7.7% 0.0% 6.7% Did not affect
15.4% 0.0% 13.3% Decreased
30.8% 100.0% 40.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
76. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
28.6% 0.0% 25.0% Increased
14.3% 0.0% 12.5% Did not affect
35.7% 50.0% 37.5% Decreased
21.4% 50.0% 25.0%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
77. Were attorneys in this case permitted to make interim statements to the jury?
Phase One Two Total
64.6% 16.7% 57.1% Yes
35.4% 83.3% 42.9%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
78. In your opinion, how did interim statements affect the efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
37.2% 50.0% 37.8% Increased efficiency
58.1% 50.0% 57.8% Did not affect efficiency
4.7% 0.0% 4.4%
Decreased efficiency
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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79. Did you feel that the use of interim statements allowed you to: Better organize the evidence for
the jurors? Phase
1 = Definitely no / 7 = Definitely yes One Two Total 7.1% 0.0% 6.8% 1
9.5% 50.0% 11.4% 2
7.1% 0.0% 6.8% 3
14.3% 0.0% 13.6% 4
19.0% 0.0% 18.2% 5
21.4% 0.0% 20.5% 6
21.4% 50.0% 22.7%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.9 4.5 4.8
80. Better explain the evidence for the jurors? Phase
1 = Definitely no / 7 = Definitely yes One Two Total 4.8% 0.0% 4.5% 1
2.4% 50.0% 4.5% 2
4.8% 0.0% 4.5% 3
16.7% 0.0% 15.9% 4
21.4% 0.0% 20.5% 5
19.0% 0.0% 18.2% 6
31.0% 50.0% 31.8%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.3 4.5 5.3
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81. Better emphasize parts of the evidence for the jurors?
Phase 1 = Definitely no / 7 = Definitely yes One Two Total
4.8% 0.0% 4.5% 1
9.5% 50.0% 11.4% 2
2.4% 0.0% 2.3% 3
16.7% 0.0% 15.9% 4
21.4% 0.0% 20.5% 5
19.0% 0.0% 18.2% 6
26.2% 50.0% 27.3%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.0 4.5 5.0
82. Did you think there were any abuses of the interim statements? Phase
One Two Total 7.1% 50.0% 9.1% Yes, used to create mini-argument
92.9% 50.0% 90.9%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
83. Is there anything you would have liked to change about the interim statements?
Phase One Two* Total
28.6% .0% 28.6% No, they are effective
14.3% .0% 14.3% Yes, need guidance for when appropriate to use
14.3% .0% 14.3% Yes, limit to explaining what witness will say
28.6% .0% 28.6% Yes, limit to summary of evidence
14.3% .0% 14.3%
Yes, keep basic
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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84. In your opinion, how would interim statements have affected the efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
3.6% 10.0% 5.3% Would have increased efficiency
32.1% 30.0% 31.6% Would not have affected efficiency
50.0% 10.0% 39.5% Would have decreased efficiency
14.3% 50.0% 23.7%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
85. Do you feel that the use of interim statements would have allowed you to: Better organize
evidence for the jurors? Phase
1 = Definitely no / 7 = Definitely yes One Two Total 25.9% 25.0% 25.7% 1
22.2% 12.5% 20.0% 2
14.8% 12.5% 14.3% 3
22.2% 12.5% 20.0% 4
3.7% 0.0% 2.9% 5
7.4% 25.0% 11.4% 6
3.7% 12.5% 5.7%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 2.9 3.8 3.1
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86. Better explain the evidence for the jurors?
Phase 1 = Definitely no / 7 = Definitely yes One Two Total
21.4% 0.0% 16.7% 1
21.4% 12.5% 19.4% 2
14.3% 12.5% 13.9% 3
10.7% 37.5% 16.7% 4
14.3% 0.0% 11.1% 5
7.1% 25.0% 11.1% 6
10.7% 12.5% 11.1%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 3.4 4.5 3.6
87. Better emphasize parts of the evidence for the jurors? Phase
1 = Definitely no / 7 = Definitely yes One Two Total 21.4% 0.0% 16.7% 1
17.9% 0.0% 13.9% 2
10.7% 12.5% 11.1% 3
7.1% 50.0% 16.7% 4
14.3% 0.0% 11.1% 5
21.4% 25.0% 22.2% 6
7.1% 12.5% 8.3%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 3.7 4.8 3.9
88. Did the judge give jurors any instructions or suggestions on how to select a foreperson? Phase
One Two Total 47.8% 41.7% 46.9% Yes
52.2% 58.3% 53.1%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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89. How do you feel about the amount of guidance that the jury had from the judge on how to select a
foreperson? Phase
1 = Not enough / 7 = Too much One Two Total 5.8% 0.0% 4.7% 1
3.8% 8.3% 4.7% 2
1.9% 8.3% 3.1% 3
63.5% 83.3% 67.2% 4
15.4% 0.0% 12.5% 5
9.6% 0.0% 7.8%
6
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.2 4.7 4.3
90. Did the judge give jurors any instructions or suggestions on how to conduct its deliberations? Phase
One Two Total 70.2% 66.7% 69.6% Yes
29.8% 33.3% 30.4%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
91. How do you feel about the amount of guidance that the jury had from the judge on how to
conduct its deliberations? Phase
1 = Not enough / 7 = Too much One Two Total 5.5% 0.0% 4.5% 1
3.6% 0.0% 3.0% 2
65.5% 100.0% 71.6% 4
16.4% 0.0% 13.4% 5
5.5% 0.0% 4.5% 6
3.6% 0.0% 3.0%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.1 4.0 4.1
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92. Did the jury submit any questions during its deliberations?
Phase One Two Total
64.5% 20.0% 58.3% Yes
35.5% 80.0% 41.7%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
93. Did the judge answer any of the questions that the jury submitted during its deliberations?
Phase One Two Total
64.3% 33.3% 60.0% Yes
8.9% 0.0% 7.7% No
26.8% 66.7% 32.3%
Jury did not ask any questions
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
94. Were the parties cooperative (with the court and with each other) in helping to respond to
questions from the jury? Phase
1 = Definitely no / 7 = Definitely yes One Two Total 4.3% 0.0% 3.8% 3
13.0% 16.7% 13.5% 4
10.9% 0.0% 9.6% 5
15.2% 16.7% 15.4% 6
56.5% 66.7% 57.7%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 6.1 6.3 6.1
95. If the judge did not answer any of the questions, did the judge give the jury a reason for not answering the question(s)?
Phase One Two Total
46.4% 14.3% 40.0% Yes
10.7% 0.0% 8.6% No
42.9% 85.7% 51.4%
Jury did not ask any questions
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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96. What types of questions did the jury submit? Questions about legal instructions or terms
Phase One Two Total
62.8% 0.0% 58.7% Yes
37.2% 100.0% 41.3%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
97. Questions about the content of the evidence
Phase One Two Total
47.6% 66.7% 48.9% Yes
52.4% 33.3% 51.1%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
98. Requests to see evidence
Phase One Two Total
35.7% 33.3% 35.6% Yes
64.3% 66.7% 64.4%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
99. Questions about procedure or case management
Phase One Two Total
26.2% 50.0% 28.3% Yes
73.8% 50.0% 71.7%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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100. Other, please specify
Phase One Two Total
7.0% 0.0% 6.4% Verdict amount
4.7% 0.0% 4.3% Request transcript
2.3% 0.0% 2.1% Whether certain evidence could be considered
2.3% 0.0% 2.1% Question about things not asked
2.3% 0.0% 2.1% Use of visual aids
7.0% 0.0% 6.4% Deadlock
0.0% 25.0% 2.1% Documents not submitted into evidence
2.3% 0.0% 2.1% Non-substantive
2.3% 0.0% 2.1% Juror questions during deliberations
69.8% 75.0% 70.2%
No other questions
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
101. How would you describe the jury’s questions?
Phase One Two Total
56.6% 66.7% 57.1% Most of the questions were relevant
20.8% 33.3% 21.4% Some were relevant, some were irrelevant
1.9% 0.0% 1.8% Most of the questions were irrelevant
20.8% 0.0% 19.6%
Jury did not ask any questions
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
102. Whom did you represent at trial?
Phase One Two Total
47.2% 50.0% 47.6% Plaintiff
52.8% 50.0% 52.4%
Defendant
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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103. How many civil jury trials have you participated in, excluding this trial?
Phase One Two Total
10.1% 8.3% 9.9% 0
10.1% 8.3% 9.9% 1
10.1% 25.0% 12.3% 2
5.8% 16.7% 7.4% 3
4.3% 0.0% 3.7% 4
4.3% 8.3% 4.9% 5
8.7% 0.0% 7.4% 6
1.4% 0.0% 1.2% 7
1.4% 0.0% 1.2% 8
7.2% 0.0% 6.2% 10
1.4% 0.0% 1.2% 11
2.9% 0.0% 2.5% 12
2.9% 0.0% 2.5% 15
1.4% 0.0% 1.2% 19
4.3% 8.3% 4.9% 20
1.4% 0.0% 1.2% 24
2.9% 0.0% 2.5% 25
5.8% 0.0% 4.9% 30
4.3% 8.3% 4.9% 40
1.4% 0.0% 1.2% 46
0.0% 16.7% 2.5% 50
1.4% 0.0% 1.2% 60
1.4% 0.0% 1.2% 75
2.9% 0.0% 2.5% 100
1.4% 0.0% 1.2%
710
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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104. Please indicate what percentage of your prior civil jury trials included the following: 12 person
juries. Phase
One Two Total 35.0% 27.3% 33.8% 0
3.3% 0.0% 2.8% 1
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 2
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 4
6.7% 0.0% 5.6% 10
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 15
3.3% 0.0% 2.8% 20
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 25
15.0% 18.2% 15.5% 50
3.3% 9.1% 4.2% 60
0.0% 9.1% 1.4% 66
1.7% 9.1% 2.8% 67
3.3% 0.0% 2.8% 75
3.3% 0.0% 2.8% 80
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 90
3.3% 0.0% 2.8% 95
13.3% 27.3% 15.5%
100
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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105. Preliminary substantive jury instructions
Phase One Two Total
71.7% 63.6% 70.4% 0
3.3% 0.0% 2.8% 1
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 2
5.0% 0.0% 4.2% 5
3.3% 0.0% 2.8% 10
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 15
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 25
0.0% 18.2% 2.8% 40
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 50
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 60
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 75
6.7% 18.2% 8.5%
100
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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106. Voir dire questionnaires
Phase One Two* Total
28.3% .0% 28.3% 0
6.7% .0% 6.7% 1
5.0% .0% 5.0% 2
1.7% .0% 1.7% 3
1.7% .0% 1.7% 5
1.7% .0% 1.7% 6
5.0% .0% 5.0% 10
1.7% .0% 1.7% 30
5.0% .0% 5.0% 33
8.3% .0% 8.3% 50
5.0% .0% 5.0% 60
1.7% .0% 1.7% 70
3.3% .0% 3.3% 90
25.0% .0% 25.0%
100
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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107. Time limits
Phase One Two* Total
60.7% .0% 60.7% 0
3.3% .0% 3.3% 1
3.3% .0% 3.3% 2
4.9% .0% 4.9% 5
1.6% .0% 1.6% 6
1.6% .0% 1.6% 20
1.6% .0% 1.6% 25
9.8% .0% 9.8% 50
1.6% .0% 1.6% 66
1.6% .0% 1.6% 85
1.6% .0% 1.6% 90
1.6% .0% 1.6% 95
6.6% .0% 6.6%
100
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
108. Juror questions to witnesses Phase
One Two Total 71.2% 81.8% 72.9% 0
6.8% 0.0% 5.7% 1
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 2
3.4% 0.0% 2.9% 5
8.5% 9.1% 8.6% 10
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 30
3.4% 9.1% 4.3% 50
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 75
1.7% 0.0% 1.4%
100
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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109. Interim statements
Phase One Two Total
86.7% 100.0% 88.4% 0
3.3% 0.0% 2.9% 1
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 2
3.3% 0.0% 2.9% 5
5.0% 0.0% 4.3%
10
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
110. Jury instructions regarding conducting deliberations, foreperson selection, and questions during
deliberation Phase
One Two* Total 45.6% .0% 45.6% 0
5.3% .0% 5.3% 1
3.5% .0% 3.5% 2
1.8% .0% 1.8% 4
1.8% .0% 1.8% 5
1.8% .0% 1.8% 8
1.8% .0% 1.8% 10
3.5% .0% 3.5% 20
1.8% .0% 1.8% 25
1.8% .0% 1.8% 50
1.8% .0% 1.8% 60
3.5% .0% 3.5% 80
26.3% .0% 26.3%
100
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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111. Jury questions during deliberation
Phase One Two Total
20.3% 40.0% 23.2% 0
5.1% 0.0% 4.3% 1
8.5% 0.0% 7.2% 2
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 3
5.1% 0.0% 4.3% 5
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 9
5.1% 20.0% 7.2% 10
3.4% 10.0% 4.3% 15
3.4% 0.0% 2.9% 20
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 30
1.7% 10.0% 2.9% 33
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 40
16.9% 10.0% 15.9% 50
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 66
3.4% 10.0% 4.3% 75
6.8% 0.0% 5.8% 80
11.9% 0.0% 10.1%
100
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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112. How would you characterize the outcome of this trial for your client?
Phase 1 = Big loss / 7 = Big win One Two Total
25.7% 25.0% 25.6% 1
2.9% 8.3% 3.7% 2
2.9% 0.0% 2.4% 3
4.3% 25.0% 7.3% 4
11.4% 16.7% 12.2% 5
17.1% 8.3% 15.9% 6
35.7% 16.7% 32.9%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.7 3.9 4.6
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Juror Questionnaire
1. Judge on case Phase
One Two Total 2.1% 0.0% 1.6% Lynn S. Adelman
2.5% 0.0% 1.8% Samuel Der-Yeghiayan
2.1% 0.0% 1.6% Joan B. Gottschall
10.7% 0.0% 8.1% David F. Hamilton
5.2% 29.6% 11.3% James F. Holderman
16.3% 54.6% 25.8% Matthew F. Kennelly
6.1% 0.0% 4.6% Joan Humphrey Lefkow
10.7% 0.0% 8.1% Michael J. Reagan
2.1% 0.0% 1.6% Elaine E. Bucklo
7.7% 0.0% 5.8% Amy J. St. Eve
2.5% 0.0% 1.8% John D. Tinder
3.1% 0.0% 2.3% James B. Zagel
2.5% 11.1% 4.6% Charles N. Clevert
2.1% 0.0% 1.6% James B. Moran
2.5% 0.0% 1.8% David H. Coar
1.8% 4.6% 2.5% Geraldine Soat Brown
7.1% 0.0% 5.3% Paul R. Cherry
9.5% 0.0% 7.1% Barbara B. Crabb
3.4% 0.0% 2.5%
John W. Darrah
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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2. Date of case
Phase One Two Total
2.7% 0.0% 2.0% 17-Oct-2005
5.0% 0.0% 3.7% 14-Dec-2005
2.7% 0.0% 2.0% 3-Jan-2006
4.6% 0.0% 3.3% 5-Jan-2006
3.7% 0.0% 2.7% 7-Jan-2006
4.1% 0.0% 3.0% 13-Jan-2006
7.3% 0.0% 5.4% 17-Jan-2006
3.2% 0.0% 2.3% 27-Jan-2006
4.6% 0.0% 3.3% 30-Jan-2006
5.0% 0.0% 3.7% 6-Feb-2006
5.5% 0.0% 4.0% 10-Feb-2006
3.2% 0.0% 2.3% 21-Feb-2006
4.1% 0.0% 3.0% 27-Feb-2006
9.1% 0.0% 6.7% 6-Mar-2006
3.2% 0.0% 2.3% 21-Mar-2006
5.0% 0.0% 3.7% 10-Apr-2006
3.2% 0.0% 2.3% 11-Apr-2006
2.7% 0.0% 2.0% 17-Apr-2006
5.5% 0.0% 4.0% 18-Apr-2006
5.0% 0.0% 3.7% 24-Apr-2006
5.0% 0.0% 3.7% 4-Aug-2006
5.5% 0.0% 4.0% 15-Aug-2006
0.0% 10.0% 2.7% 20-Feb-2007
0.0% 6.3% 1.7% 22-Mar-2007
0.0% 25.0% 6.7%
17-May-2007
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(continued) 0.0% 15.0% 4.0% 30-Aug-2007
0.0% 13.8% 3.7% 19-Sep-2007
0.0% 6.3% 1.7% 17-Oct-2007
0.0% 13.8% 3.7% 20-Feb-2008
0.0% 10.0% 2.7%
2-Apr-2008
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
3. Federal district
Phase One Two Total
55.2% 88.9% 63.6% Northern Illinois
10.7% 0.0% 8.1% Southern Illinois
7.1% 0.0% 5.3% Northern Indiana
12.9% 0.0% 9.7% Southern Indiana
4.6% 11.1% 6.2% Eastern Wisconsin
9.5% 0.0% 7.1%
Western Wisconsin
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
4. Type of case
Phase One Two Total
14.0% 0.0% 9.3% Contract
11.5% 15.0% 12.7% Tort
49.0% 72.5% 57.0% Civil rights
25.5% 0.0% 16.9% Other
0.0% 12.5% 4.2%
Copyright
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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5. Issues in case
Phase One Two Total
62.1% 78.8% 68.4% Liability and damages
15.2% 15.0% 15.1% Damages only
22.7% 6.3% 16.5%
Other
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
6. What was your overall level of satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase 1 = Not at all satisfied / 7 = Very satisfied One Two Total
0.6% 0.0% 0.5% 1
2.8% 1.9% 2.6% 2
2.8% 3.7% 3.0% 3
7.1% 10.2% 7.9% 4
21.4% 19.4% 20.9% 5
35.9% 31.5% 34.8% 6
29.4% 33.3% 30.4%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.7 5.8 5.7
7. How complex was the evidence presented at trial? Phase
1 = Not at all complex / 7 = Very complex One Two Total 8.0% 12.3% 9.1% 1
18.6% 19.8% 18.9% 2
16.4% 18.9% 17.0% 3
18.3% 15.1% 17.5% 4
17.3% 12.3% 16.1% 5
10.5% 11.3% 10.7% 6
10.8% 10.4% 10.7%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 3.9 3.7 3.9
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8. How clearly was the evidence presented in this trial?
Phase 1 = Not at all clearly / 7 = Very clearly One Two Total
3.7% 0.9% 3.0% 1
8.7% 4.7% 7.7% 2
11.5% 12.1% 11.7% 3
22.7% 17.8% 21.4% 4
26.7% 23.4% 25.9% 5
18.9% 21.5% 19.6% 6
7.8% 19.6% 10.7%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.5 5.0 4.6
9. How difficult or easy was it for jurors to understand the evidence in this trial? Phase
1 = Very easy / 7 = Very difficult One Two Total 13.3% 17.8% 14.4% 1
20.4% 26.2% 21.9% 2
14.9% 14.0% 14.7% 3
17.0% 17.8% 17.2% 4
17.0% 14.0% 16.3% 5
13.3% 9.3% 12.3% 6
4.0% 0.9% 3.3%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 3.6 3.2 3.5
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10. How difficult or easy was it for jurors to understand the law in this trial?
Phase 1 = Very easy / 7 = Very difficult One Two Total
18.7% 26.4% 20.6% 1
19.9% 27.4% 21.8% 2
13.6% 10.4% 12.8% 3
13.6% 14.2% 13.7% 4
16.1% 8.5% 14.2% 5
13.9% 8.5% 12.6% 6
4.1% 4.7% 4.3%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 3.5 3.0 3.3
11. What did the judge tell you about the case before you heard any evidence: A description of the claims in this case?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 88.2% 88.2% Yes
.0% 11.8% 11.8%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
12. The procedures that would be used in this trial?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 84.3% 84.3% Yes
.0% 15.7% 15.7%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
13. The law that the jury would be applying in this case?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 67.1% 67.1% Yes
.0% 32.9% 32.9%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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14. How many jurors were on your jury at the beginning of the trial?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 5.6% 5.6% 7
.0% 18.0% 18.0% 8
.0% 5.6% 5.6% 10
.0% 1.1% 1.1% 11
.0% 65.2% 65.2% 12
.0% 4.5% 4.5%
13
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
15. How many jurors were on your jury at the end of your deliberations?
Phase One Two Total
0.3% 0.0% 0.2% 3
12.7% 4.6% 10.7% 7
18.6% 14.8% 17.7% 8
2.8% 4.6% 3.3% 9
3.1% 0.0% 2.3% 10
28.3% 0.9% 21.4% 11
34.2% 75.0% 44.4%
12
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
16. Did all of the jurors on your jury contribute to your deliberations?
Phase One Two Total
94.8% 97.2% 95.5% Yes
5.2% 2.8% 4.5%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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17. If no, how many of the jurors contributed to your deliberations?
Phase One Two* Total
3.7% .0% 3.7% 1
7.4% .0% 7.4% 2
3.7% .0% 3.7% 4
7.4% .0% 7.4% 6
14.8% .0% 14.8% 7
3.7% .0% 3.7% 8
14.8% .0% 14.8% 9
18.5% .0% 18.5% 10
18.5% .0% 18.5% 11
7.4% .0% 7.4%
12
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
18. Did any one juror dominate the deliberations of the jury?
Phase One Two Total
16.2% 13.4% 15.5% Yes
83.8% 86.6% 84.5%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
19. What was your opinion on the number of jurors on the jury?
Phase One Two Total
1.6% 0.0% 1.2% Too few
91.1% 96.3% 92.5% The right number
7.2% 3.7% 6.3%
Too many
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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20. Before you began hearing testimony from witnesses, did the judge tell you what the case was
going to be about – what the plaintiff and the defendant would be claiming? Phase
One Two Total 88.3% 91.9% 89.0% Yes
11.7% 8.1% 11.0%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
21. Before you began hearing testimony from witnesses, did the judge tell you about the way the
case would be run? Phase
One* Two Total .0% 93.3% 93.3% Yes
.0% 6.7% 6.7%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
22. Before you began hearing testimony from witnesses, did the judge tell you about the law that
would be applied in the case? Phase
One* Two Total .0% 66.2% 66.2% Yes
.0% 33.8% 33.8%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
23. How helpful, if at all, was the judge’s telling you about what the plaintiff and the defendant were
claiming? Phase
1 = Not at all helpful / 7 = Very helpful One Two Total 0.7% 1.1% 0.8% 1
2.4% 0.0% 1.8% 2
4.4% 2.2% 3.9% 3
8.1% 9.8% 8.5% 4
14.9% 14.1% 14.7% 5
30.5% 26.1% 29.5% 6
39.0% 46.7% 40.8%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.8 6.0 5.9
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24. How did you feel about the length of what the judge told you about the parties’ claims and about
the law in this case? Phase
1 = Too short / 7 = Too long One Two Total 1.7% 1.1% 1.5% 1
1.4% 0.0% 1.0% 2
9.2% 10.8% 9.5% 3
56.3% 60.2% 57.2% 4
16.6% 19.4% 17.3% 5
12.9% 5.4% 11.1% 6
2.0% 3.2% 2.3%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.3 4.3 4.3 25. How did you feel about the timing of what the judge told you about the parties’ claims and about
the law in this case? Phase
1 = Not at all appropriate time / 7 = Very appropriate time One Two Total 1.4% 1.1% 1.3% 1
2.1% 1.1% 1.8% 2
2.4% 2.1% 2.3% 3
15.5% 23.4% 17.4% 4
14.1% 9.6% 13.0% 5
29.6% 33.0% 30.4% 6
35.1% 29.8% 33.8%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.7 5.6 5.7
26. Did the jurors in this case complete a jury selection questionnaire at the beginning of the trial? Phase
One Two* Total 62.5% .0% 62.5% Yes
37.5% .0% 37.5%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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27. Which of the following statements best describes the length of the jury selection questionnaire
used in this trial? Phase
One Two* Total 2.6% .0% 2.6% Too short
92.1% .0% 92.1% About right
5.3% .0% 5.3%
Too long
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
28. Did the judge or the attorneys tell you how the information you provided in the written
questionnaire would be used? Phase
One Two* Total 50.3% .0% 50.3% Yes
49.7% .0% 49.7%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
29. How concerned were you, if at all, about your privacy when being asked questions on the written
questionnaire? Phase
1 = Not at all concerned / 7 = Very concerned One Two* Total 44.4% .0% 44.4% 1
17.3% .0% 17.3% 2
9.2% .0% 9.2% 3
13.3% .0% 13.3% 4
6.1% .0% 6.1% 5
5.1% .0% 5.1% 6
4.6% .0% 4.6%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 2.5 0 2.5
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30. How concerned were you, if at all, about your privacy when being asked questions by the judge
or the attorneys out loud in the courtroom? Phase
1 = Not at all concerned / 7 = Very concerned One Two* Total 33.1% .0% 33.1% 1
17.4% .0% 17.4% 2
7.2% .0% 7.2% 3
14.4% .0% 14.4% 4
13.4% .0% 13.4% 5
8.9% .0% 8.9% 6
5.6% .0% 5.6%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 3.1 0 3.1
31. Many of the questions on the jury selection questionnaire are questions the judge or the attorneys usually ask out loud in the courtroom. Which of the following would you prefer?
Phase One Two* Total
70.4% .0% 70.4% To answer some of the questions by filling out a questionnaire
29.6% .0% 29.6%
To have all the questions asked out loud
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
32. What is the reason for your preference?
Phase One Two* Total
28.8% .0% 28.8% Questionnaire: privacy
27.5% .0% 27.5% Questionnaire: saves time and speeds up the process
3.1% .0% 3.1% Questionnaire: easier
4.4% .0% 4.4% Questionnaire: don’t feel comfortable speaking in public
0.6% .0% 0.6% Questionnaire: to write down on paper
1.3% .0% 1.3% Questionnaire: simpler, less intimidating
0.6% .0% 0.6% Questionnaire: repetition is avoided
1.3% .0% 1.3%
Questionnaire: prefer to read and respond at my own pace
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(continued) 0.6% .0% 0.6% Questionnaire: more comfortable answering in writing
1.3% .0% 1.3% Questionnaire: thorough
0.6% .0% 0.6% Questionnaire: gives more time to recall events
2.5% .0% 2.5% Questionnaire: more honest about responses
0.6% .0% 0.6% Questionnaire: leads to impartial jury
0.6% .0% 0.6% Questionnaire: narrows in on those responses to be
heard 1.3% .0% 1.3% Questionnaire: eliminate some prospectives before
arriving 0.6% .0% 0.6% Questionnaire: clarity
0.6% .0% 0.6% Out loud: reduce interpreted difference
0.6% .0% 0.6% Out loud: everyone knows and it moves along
2.5% .0% 2.5% Out loud: more time-efficient
4.4% .0% 4.4% Out loud: easier
0.6% .0% 0.6% Out loud: personal preference
1.9% .0% 1.9% Out loud: clarity
1.3% .0% 1.3% Out loud: to give the judge a feel for that juror
0.6% .0% 0.6% Out loud: makes the selection more interesting
0.6% .0% 0.6% Out loud: direct, no questions forgotten
1.3% .0% 1.3% Out loud: a chance to explain any other questions
0.6% .0% 0.6% Out loud: an open and honest approach
5.0% .0% 5.0% Out loud: background of the prospective jurors
1.3% .0% 1.3% Out loud: I am better able to respond verbally
0.6% .0% 0.6% Out loud: we’re able to know exactly what they want
0.6% .0% 0.6% Out loud: other people’s answers trigger your memory
0.6% .0% 0.6% Out loud: to be well informed
1.3% .0% 1.3%
Out loud: everyone treated equally
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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33. Was there anything the judge told you about the law at the end of the case just before you began
deliberating that you would have liked to know earlier in the trial? Phase
One* Two Total .0% 6.7% 6.7% Yes
.0% 93.3% 93.3%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
34. If yes, what was it?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 50.0% 50.0% Would like verdict questionnaire at beginning of trial
.0% 25.0% 25.0% Clarification about who was being sued
.0% 25.0% 25.0%
Further defense preponderance of evidence
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
35. Would you have liked for the judge to give instructions to you at the beginning of the trial
explaining the legal issues that you had to decide in the trial? Phase
One Two Total 73.3% 45.8% 65.5% Yes
26.7% 54.2% 34.5%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
36. Were you told by the judge at the beginning of the trial how long the trial would last or when the
trial would be finished? Phase
One Two Total 94.6% 95.3% 94.7% Yes
5.4% 4.7% 5.3%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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37. If the judge did tell you how long the trial would last or when the trial would be finished, did the
trial end when promised? Phase
One Two Total 75.3% 80.8% 76.7% Yes
24.7% 19.2% 23.3%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
38. How important, if at all, was it that you knew at the beginning of the trial how long the trial would
be and/or what day the trial would be finished? Phase
1 = Not at all important / 7 = Very important One Two Total 5.4% 1.9% 4.5% 1
4.1% 10.6% 5.7% 2
7.0% 6.7% 6.9% 3
15.2% 14.4% 15.0% 4
9.2% 9.6% 9.3% 5
20.3% 16.3% 19.3% 6
38.7% 40.4% 39.1%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.3 5.3 5.3
39. Which of the following statements best describes your reaction to the length of this trial? Phase
One Two Total 1.0% 0.9% 1.0% Too short
72.6% 82.2% 75.1% About right
26.4% 16.8% 23.9%
Too long
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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40. Please rate the trial on the following dimensions: Efficiency of the trial (was time wasted or used
effectively). Phase
1 = Not at all efficient / 7 = Very efficient One Two Total 0.6% 1.9% 1.0% 1
6.7% 7.4% 6.9% 2
13.5% 17.6% 14.5% 3
17.9% 16.7% 17.6% 4
21.2% 23.1% 21.7% 5
22.1% 21.3% 21.9% 6
17.9% 12.0% 16.4%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.9 4.6 4.8
41. Organization of the trial Phase
1 = Not at all organized / 7 = Very organized One Two Total 0.6% 2.8% 1.2% 1
3.9% 3.7% 3.8% 2
9.0% 7.4% 8.6% 3
14.8% 12.0% 14.1% 4
18.3% 23.1% 19.6% 5
28.0% 28.7% 28.2% 6
25.4% 22.2% 24.5%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.3 5.2 5.3
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42. Repetitiveness/redundancy of the evidence and/or testimony
Phase 1 = Not at all repetitive / 7 = Very repetitive One Two Total
2.6% 0.9% 2.2% 1
6.8% 6.5% 6.7% 2
5.5% 5.6% 5.5% 3
15.2% 15.7% 15.3% 4
26.2% 32.4% 27.8% 5
23.6% 24.1% 23.7% 6
20.1% 14.8% 18.7%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.1 5.0 5.1
43. The amount of time each side had to present its case Phase
1 = Too short / 7 = Too long One Two Total 0.0% 0.9% 0.2% 1
0.3% 0.9% 0.5% 2
1.6% 4.6% 2.4% 3
66.9% 54.6% 63.7% 4
19.0% 25.9% 20.8% 5
7.2% 12.0% 8.4% 6
4.9% 0.9% 3.9%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.5 4.4 4.2
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44. Ease of understanding the case material and information presented
Phase 1 = Very easy / 7 = Very difficult One* Two Total
.0% 1.1% 1.1% 1
.0% 4.5% 4.5% 2
.0% 9.0% 9.0% 3
.0% 14.6% 14.6% 4
.0% 27.0% 27.0% 5
.0% 27.0% 27.0% 6
.0% 16.9% 16.9%
7
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 0 5.1 5.1
45. How interesting the case was in general Phase
1 = Not at all interesting / 7 = Very interesting One* Two Total .0% 1.1% 1.1% 1
.0% 5.7% 5.7% 2
.0% 6.8% 6.8% 3
.0% 14.8% 14.8% 4
.0% 22.7% 22.7% 5
.0% 23.9% 23.9% 6
.0% 25.0% 25.0%
7
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 0 5.2 5.2
46. Were jurors permitted to submit questions for witnesses in this case? Phase
One Two Total 77.7% 97.8% 82.7% Yes
22.3% 2.2% 17.3%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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47. In your opinion, should jurors be permitted to submit questions for witnesses?
Phase One Two Total
92.1% 97.1% 93.7% Yes
7.9% 2.9% 6.3%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
48. In this case, did you submit any questions to be asked of the witnesses?
Phase One Two Total
53.0% 50.0% 52.1% Yes
47.0% 50.0% 47.9%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
49. If yes, how many?
Phase One Two Total
1.0% 0.0% 0.7% 0
28.9% 38.5% 31.6% 1
17.5% 25.6% 19.9% 2
13.4% 10.3% 12.5% 3
6.2% 12.8% 8.1% 4
8.2% 7.7% 8.1% 5
3.1% 2.6% 2.9% 6
2.1% 0.0% 1.5% 7
2.1% 2.6% 2.2% 8
1.0% 0.0% 0.7% 9
3.1% 0.0% 2.2% 10
1.0% 0.0% 0.7% 20
1.0% 0.0% 0.7% 35
11.3% 0.0% 8.1%
100
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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50. How many of your questions did the judge answer or permit the witness the answer?
Phase One Two Total
65.2% 37.0% 57.7% All
7.6% 19.8% 10.8% Some
27.2% 8.6% 22.3% None
0.0% 34.6% 9.2%
Does not apply / I didn’t ask any questions
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
51. In this case, were you aware of any other jurors submitting questions to be asked or the
witnesses? Phase
One* Two Total .0% 81.9% 81.9% Yes
.0% 18.1% 18.1%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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52. If yes, how many?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 17.3% 17.3% 1
.0% 9.6% 9.6% 2
.0% 23.1% 23.1% 3
.0% 9.6% 9.6% 4
.0% 5.8% 5.8% 5
.0% 17.3% 17.3% 6
.0% 1.9% 1.9% 7
.0% 1.9% 1.9% 8
.0% 1.9% 1.9% 9
.0% 3.8% 3.8% 10
.0% 1.9% 1.9% 11
.0% 1.9% 1.9% 13
.0% 1.9% 1.9% 20
.0% 1.9% 1.9%
25
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
53. If you submitted questions to the judge, what were the primary purposes of your questions: To
repeat information already presented? Phase
One* Two Total .0% 14.6% 14.6% Yes
.0% 85.4% 85.4%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
54. To clarify information already presented?
Phase One Two Total
56.0% 62.0% 57.6% Yes
44.0% 38.0% 42.4%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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55. To check on a fact or an explanation?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 56.3% 56.3% Yes
.0% 43.8% 43.8%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
56. To get additional information?
Phase One Two Total
60.4% 81.5% 66.5% Yes
39.6% 18.5% 33.5%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
57. To find out the opinion of a witness?
Phase One Two Total
14.2% 23.5% 16.8% Yes
85.8% 76.5% 83.2%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
58. To resolve inconsistencies in the evidence
Phase One Two Total
26.9% 47.1% 32.4% Yes
73.1% 52.9% 67.6%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
59. To understand the law?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 21.3% 21.3% Yes
.0% 78.7% 78.7%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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60. To test witness credibility?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 34.8% 34.8% Yes
.0% 65.2% 65.2%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
61. To link up other evidence?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 45.8% 45.8% Yes
.0% 54.2% 54.2%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
62. To help one side or the other?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 13.0% 13.0% Yes
.0% 87.0% 87.0%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
63. To make sure the trial was fair?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 39.1% 39.1% Yes
.0% 60.9% 60.9%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
64. To cover something that the lawyers missed?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 47.9% 47.9% Yes
.0% 52.1% 52.1%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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65. Other, specify...
Phase One Two* Total
50.0% .0% 50.0% Clarify jury instructions
50.0% .0% 50.0%
Prior medical records
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
66. If the judge did not answer any of your questions, did he/she give the reason for not answering
the question(s)? Phase
One* Two Total .0% 77.1% 77.1% Yes
.0% 22.9% 22.9%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
67. Which of the following statements best describes your reaction to the number of questions asked
by jurors? Phase
One Two Total 3.0% 6.0% 3.9% Too many
86.1% 84.3% 85.6% An appropriate number
10.9% 9.6% 10.6%
Not enough
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
68. How did the opportunity to submit questions for witnesses during trial affect: Your understanding
of the case? Phase
One Two Total 82.1% 83.9% 82.6% Helped
17.5% 16.1% 17.1% Did not affect
0.4% 0.0% 0.3%
Hurt
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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69. The fairness of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
65.3% 71.9% 67.2% Helped
33.8% 28.1% 32.2% Did not affect
0.9% 0.0% 0.6%
Hurt
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
70. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
54.3% 56.7% 55.0% Helped
43.9% 42.2% 43.5% Did not affect
1.8% 1.1% 1.6%
Hurt
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
71. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
79.9% 80.0% 79.9% Helped
19.6% 20.0% 19.7% Did not affect
0.4% 0.0% 0.3%
Hurt
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
72. In your opinion, should jurors be permitted to submit questions for witnesses during the trial?
Phase One Two Total
65.5% 95.5% 71.7% Yes
34.5% 4.5% 28.3%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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73. Did you have any questions you would have liked to submit to be asked of a witness during this
trial? Phase
One Two Total 61.3% 52.6% 59.6% Yes
38.8% 47.4% 40.4%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
74. If you had been permitted to submit questions for the witnesses, how would it have affected:
Your understanding of the case? Phase
One Two Total 63.4% 52.6% 61.1% Would have helped
31.0% 42.1% 33.3% Would not have affected
5.6% 5.3% 5.6%
Would have hurt
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
75. The fairness of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
40.6% 36.8% 39.8% Would have helped
53.6% 57.9% 54.5% Would not have affected
5.8% 5.3% 5.7%
Would have hurt
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
76. The efficiency of the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
30.0% 36.8% 31.5% Would have helped
60.0% 57.9% 59.6% Would not have affected
10.0% 5.3% 9.0%
Would have hurt
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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77. Your satisfaction with the trial process?
Phase One Two Total
40.0% 57.9% 43.8% Would have helped
54.3% 36.8% 50.6% Would not have affected
5.7% 5.3% 5.6%
Would have hurt
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
78. Did the attorneys make short statements during the trial?
Phase One Two Total
37.7% 43.2% 39.0% Yes
62.3% 56.8% 61.0%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
79. How did the lawyers use the short statements during the trial?
Phase One Two Total
51.4% 43.8% 49.6% Mostly to introduce the evidence about to be presented
24.8% 28.1% 25.5% Same in terms of introducing versus summarizing the evidence
23.8% 28.1% 24.8%
Mostly to summarize evidence that had just been presented
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
80. Which type of the short statements did you find most useful?
Phase One Two Total
33.3% 26.7% 31.8% When used to introduce the evidence about to be presented
23.5% 33.3% 25.8% When used to summarize evidence that had just been presented
34.3% 33.3% 34.1% Both uses of short attorney statements were equally useful
8.8% 6.7% 8.3%
Neither, I didn’t find them useful at all
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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81. In your opinion, how helpful were the short attorney statements to you in: Understanding the
evidence? Phase
1 = Not at all helpful / 7 = Very helpful One Two Total 2.6% 9.7% 4.1% 1
1.7% 0.0% 1.4% 2
12.1% 6.5% 10.9% 3
29.3% 32.3% 29.9% 4
22.4% 16.1% 21.1% 5
19.8% 22.6% 20.4% 6
12.1% 12.9% 12.2%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.8 4.6 4.7
82. Recalling the evidence during deliberations? Phase
1 = Not at all helpful / 7 = Very helpful One Two Total 2.6% 6.5% 3.4% 1
7.8% 6.5% 7.5% 2
8.7% 3.2% 7.5% 3
23.5% 35.5% 26.0% 4
22.6% 12.9% 20.5% 5
20.0% 25.8% 21.2% 6
14.8% 9.7% 13.7%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.7 4.6 4.7
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83. Keeping focused on the evidence?
Phase 1 = Not at all helpful / 7 = Very helpful One Two Total
2.6% 6.5% 3.4% 1
3.5% 3.2% 3.4% 2
7.9% 3.2% 6.9% 3
22.8% 19.4% 22.1% 4
21.9% 22.6% 22.1% 5
27.2% 35.5% 29.0% 6
14.0% 9.7% 13.1%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.0 4.9 5.0
84. Making the evidence more interesting? Phase
1 = Not at all helpful / 7 = Very helpful One Two Total 3.5% 3.3% 3.5% 1
7.9% 6.7% 7.6% 2
12.3% 6.7% 11.1% 3
35.1% 13.3% 30.6% 4
14.9% 40.0% 20.1% 5
16.7% 20.0% 17.4% 6
9.6% 10.0% 9.7%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.4 4.7 4.5
85. Was there anything about the short attorney statements that you did not like? Phase
One Two Total 8.7% 10.3% 9.0% Yes
91.3% 89.7% 91.0%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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86. If yes, please explain...
Phase One Two Total
28.6% 0.0% 20.0% Not focused
14.3% 0.0% 10.0% Repetitive
0.0% 33.3% 10.0% Some jurors had trouble not including them as evidence.
0.0% 33.3% 10.0% Their interpretation of facts.
14.3% 33.3% 20.0% Telling us about upcoming testimony.
28.6% 0.0% 20.0% Seem unnecessary.
14.3% 0.0% 10.0%
Not used for any witness.
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
87. Did the short attorney statements affect your verdict?
Phase One Two Total
8.9% 24.2% 12.4% Yes
91.1% 75.8% 87.6%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
88. If yes, please explain...
Phase One Two Total
0.0% 25.0% 12.5% More difficult to reach unanimous decision
0.0% 25.0% 12.5% Reviewed the info presented by witnesses to recall facts
50.0% 25.0% 37.5% Clarified the evidence
0.0% 25.0% 12.5% Clearly understood were not evidence but helpful in hearing
25.0% 0.0% 12.5% They didn’t address the important issues
25.0% 0.0% 12.5%
Part of the process
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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89. Would you have found the use of short attorney statements during the trial to be helpful?
Phase One Two Total
20.7% 27.6% 22.9% Yes
24.4% 26.3% 25.0% No
54.9% 46.1% 52.1%
Don’t know
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
90. Which type of short attorney statements would you have found more useful during the trial?
Phase One Two Total
15.9% 9.7% 13.9% When used to introduce the evidence about to be presented
23.5% 27.4% 24.7% When used to summarize evidence that had just been presented
29.5% 32.3% 30.4% Both uses of short attorney statements would be equally useful
31.1% 30.6% 30.9%
Neither, I wouldn’t find them useful at all
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
91. Did the judge give you any instructions or suggestions on how to select a foreperson?
Phase One Two* Total
48.5% .0% 48.5% Yes
51.5% .0% 51.5%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
92. If yes, did you feel that you had to follow the judge’s instructions about selection of a
foreperson? Phase
One Two* Total 64.2% .0% 64.2% Yes
35.8% .0% 35.8%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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93. How do you feel about the amount of guidance you received from the judge on how to select a
foreperson? Phase
1 = Not enough / 7 = Too much One Two* Total 5.5% .0% 5.5% 1
6.3% .0% 6.3% 2
18 18 7.1% .0% 7.1% 3
58.3% .0% 58.3% 4
13.8% .0% 13.8% 5
7.9% .0% 7.9% 6
1.2% .0% 1.2%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.0 0 4.0
94. Did the judge give you any instructions or suggestions on how to conduct your deliberations? Phase
One Two* Total 72.3% .0% 72.3% Yes
27.7% .0% 27.7%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
95. If yes, did you feel that you had to follow the judge’s instructions about conduct during your
deliberations? Phase
One Two* Total 81.6% .0% 81.6% Yes
18.4% .0% 18.4%
No
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
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96. How do you feel about the amount of guidance you received from the judge on how to conduct
your deliberations? Phase
1 = Not enough / 7 = Too much One Two* Total 1.1% .0% 1.1% 1
2.8% .0% 2.8% 2
9.6% .0% 9.6% 3
62.1% .0% 62.1% 4
15.2% .0% 15.2% 5
8.2% .0% 8.2% 6
1.1% .0% 1.1%
7
100.0% .0% 100.0% Total
Mean 4.2 0 4.2
97. What best describes how the foreperson was selected? Phase
One Two Total 41.6% 39.0% 40.9% He/she volunteered
44.5% 48.6% 45.6% Others nominated him/her
11.7% 10.5% 11.4% We took a vote
2.1% 0.0% 1.6% Drew from a hat
0.0% 1.0% 0.3% He/she volunteered, then we took a vote
0.0% 1.0% 0.3%
We originally picked one person, then changed during deliberations
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
98. Were you the foreperson for this jury?
Phase One Two Total
12.3% 11.7% 12.2% Yes
87.7% 88.3% 87.8%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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99. How much influence did the foreperson have on the jury’s decision?
Phase One Two Total
1.1% 4.8% 2.1% More than any other juror
12.7% 11.5% 12.4% More than most jurors
81.1% 78.8% 80.5% The same as other jurors
5.1% 4.8% 5.0%
Less than most jurors
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Less than any other juror
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
100. How satisfied were you with the way your deliberations were conducted?
Phase 1 = Not at all satisfied / 7 = Very satisfied One Two Total
2.7% 3.8% 3.0% 1
5.5% 1.9% 4.5% 2
3.8% 7.6% 4.8% 3
8.2% 7.6% 8.1% 4
12.3% 8.6% 11.3% 5
25.7% 24.8% 25.4% 6
41.8% 45.7% 42.8%
7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
Mean 5.7 5.7 5.7
101. Did your jury submit questions to the judge during your deliberations? Phase
One Two Total 54.3% 30.5% 48.0% Yes
45.7% 69.5% 52.0%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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102. If yes, how many?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 15.8% 15.8% 1
.0% 36.8% 36.8% 2
.0% 21.1% 21.1% 3
.0% 21.1% 21.1% 4
.0% 5.3% 5.3%
6
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
103. How many of the jury’s questions did the judge answer?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 37.7% 37.7% All
.0% 8.7% 8.7% Some
.0% 8.7% 8.7% None
.0% 44.9% 44.9%
Does not apply / jury didn’t ask any questions
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
104. If you submitted any questions to the judge, what were the primary purposes of your questions:
To repeat or clarify information already presented? Phase
One* Two Total .0% 60.0% 60.0% Yes
.0% 40.0% 40.0%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
105. To check on a fact or an explanation?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 63.0% 63.0% Yes
.0% 37.0% 37.0%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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106. To get additional information?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 72.4% 72.4% Yes
.0% 27.6% 27.6%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
107. To find out the opinion of a witness?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 24.0% 24.0% Yes
.0% 76.0% 76.0%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
108. To resolve inconsistencies in the evidence?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 30.8% 30.8% Yes
.0% 69.2% 69.2%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
109. To understand the law?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 52.0% 52.0% Yes
.0% 48.0% 48.0%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
110. To help one side or the other?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 20.0% 20.0% Yes
.0% 80.0% 80.0%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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111. To make a point the lawyers missed?
Phase One* Two Total
.0% 19.2% 19.2% Yes
.0% 80.8% 80.8%
No
.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
112. If the judge did not answer any of your questions, did he/she give the reason for not answering
the question(s)? Phase
One Two Total 71.0% 52.6% 66.7% Yes
29.0% 47.4% 33.3%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
113. If the judge did answer some of your questions, how did the answers affect your understanding
of the case? Phase
One Two Total 53.9% 45.7% 52.4% Helped me understand the case better
44.1% 48.6% 44.9% Did not affect how well I understood the case
2.0% 5.7% 2.7%
Made it harder for me to understand the case
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
114. If the judge did answer some of your questions, what effect did the answer have on your jury’s
deliberations? Phase
One Two Total 39.8% 35.5% 39.0% Were extremely helpful to the jury’s decision making
40.6% 32.3% 39.0% Were moderately helpful to the jury’s decision making
17.3% 25.8% 18.9% Were not helpful to the jury’s decision making
2.3% 6.5% 3.0%
Made the jury’s decision making more difficult
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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115. Did you ever sit on a jury before?
Phase One Two Total
27.3% 31.1% 28.3% Yes
72.7% 68.9% 71.7%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
116. If yes, how many juries?
Phase One Two Total
81.9% 50.0% 73.9% 1
13.3% 28.6% 17.1% 2
1.2% 10.7% 3.6% 3
1.2% 3.6% 1.8% 4
1.2% 3.6% 1.8% 5
1.2% 3.6% 1.8%
12
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
117. If yes, what type of juries have you served on: Civil?
Phase One Two Total
53.0% 57.5% 54.5% Yes
47.0% 42.5% 45.5%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
118. Criminal?
Phase One Two Total
51.2% 45.5% 49.6% Yes
48.8% 54.5% 50.4%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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119. Don’t know
Phase One Two Total
2.4% 8.3% 3.7% Yes
97.6% 91.7% 96.3%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
120. Gender
Phase One Two Total
44.6% 39.2% 43.2% Male
55.4% 60.8% 56.8%
Female
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
121. Age group
Phase One Two Total
4.8% 6.9% 5.3% 18-24
13.3% 16.8% 14.2% 25-34
29.7% 23.8% 28.2% 35-44
26.3% 27.7% 26.6% 45-54
19.8% 20.8% 20.1% 55-64
6.1% 4.0% 5.6%
65 or older
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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122. Which of the following best describes your racial/ethnic background?
Phase One Two Total
2.0% 2.0% 2.0% Asian-American
6.4% 7.8% 6.8% Black/African-American
6.7% 8.8% 7.3% White Hispanic/Latino
1.0% 1.0% 1.0% Non-White Hispanic/Latino
83.8% 77.5% 82.2% White/Caucasian
0.0% 1.0% 0.3% Native American
0.0% 1.0% 0.3% Arabian
0.0% 1.0% 0.3%
Palestinian
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
123. Are you currently employed?
Phase One Two Total
85.5% 90.2% 86.8% Yes
14.5% 9.8% 13.2%
No
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
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124. If you are currently employed, what is your occupation?
Phase One Two Total
26.0% 30.0% 27.1% Professional/white collar
4.4% 6.3% 4.9% Sales
20.6% 23.8% 21.5% Office worker
6.4% 5.0% 6.0% Service worker
11.3% 1.3% 8.5% Skilled blue collar
12.7% 13.8% 13.0% Semi-skilled blue collar
9.3% 2.5% 7.4% Technical
7.8% 16.3% 10.2% Academic/education
1.0% 1.3% 1.1% Artist, musician, etc.
0.5% 0.0% 0.4%
Student
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total
125. What is the last year of school you completed?
Phase One Two Total
2.0% 1.1% 1.8% Less than high school
19.3% 12.4% 17.4% High school graduate
18.0% 19.1% 18.3% Technical school/some college
11.9% 7.9% 10.8% Completed two-year college
32.8% 39.3% 34.5% Completed four-year college
16.0% 20.2% 17.1%
Graduate school
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Total